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By kilax, November 30, 2011 5:24 am

Don’t forget to enter the Season of Giving Giveaway #2: FakeMeats.com!

I saw this interesting little blurb in the December issue of Running Times, on whether or not you need to increase your treadmill incline to 1% to make up for lack of wind resistance. I would like to point out that this little blurb was sandwiched between an article about how you can train entirely inside during the winter on a treadmill, and an article about how you must make sure to workout outside during the winter. Hmm, conflicted much?

Anyway, I always up the treadmill elevation when I use the thing. According to this little blurb, I only need to increase the incline if I am running faster than 8 mph. 

Ha. 

Ha ha. 

Guess I will never need to then!

If you use a treadmill, do you bump up the incline?

Hmm, I have to wonder how accurate this study is, since it was done 15 years ago. I always kind of second guess these studies, but they give us something interesting to talk about!

Comments (24)

By kilax, November 29, 2011 5:25 am

Don’t forget to enter the Season of Giving Giveaway #2: FakeMeats.com!

Steven and I decided to cut down our own Christmas tree this year, instead of buying one pre-cut from a lot. We live in the middle of nowhere, so there are actually quite a few places for us to choose from close to home (and we even have an orchard in our backyard, but they don’t sell Christmas trees). 

We decided to go to Pioneer Tree Farm, which ended up being super charming and fun! They had a horse-drawn trailer to ride on,

a candle making booth, 

a booth all about chickens,

a blacksmith exhibit,

and crafts and goodies to eat! But the trees weren’t actually what we wanted – they were the thin, long needles, and we liked the shorter, sturdier ones. Hey, at least these people found the one they wanted…

So despite having a lot of fun, we left. Luckily, we had seen a sign on the road for another tree farm and went back to it. It ended up being someone’s home!

They only showed us the first lot, and right away, we saw a lot of trees we liked.

And we easily found “the one.”

We took turns cutting it down. 

And even had some special helpers. The people who lived in the home were very nice too.

And we (gulp) took the tree home on my car*.

We started setting the tree up Saturday night.

Steven is letting me put all of my Star Wars ornaments on the tree this year! We put the lights, star, and Star Wars ornaments on on Saturday and finished with the balls on Sunday.

It’s so hard to get a good picture of a Christmas Tree all lit up! I really love ours this year though. And the way it makes the house smell. 

*I was really nervous about this, as I somewhat baby my car, but it all turned out okay.

Comments (19)

By kilax, November 28, 2011 5:25 am

As a thank you to my readers, I am doing one giveaway a week until Christmas. This is giveaway #2! The giveaways will all reflect different interests of mine, and this one is… vegetarianism/veganism!

We have a no-meat household – Steven is a vegetarian and I am vegan – but we still have a lot of fun trying out fun meat alternatives, which we like to call “fake meats”!

A few years ago, we really got in to trying out different kinds of vegetarian and vegan jerky, which there are surprisingly a lot of out there! We always had to go to specialty stores or multiple websites to buy them though, so Steven actually started a new company, Fake Meats, LLC, to sell our favorite jerky and other fun vegetarian and vegan meats and treats in one place. 

Steven’s been finding a lot of fun products to add to FakeMeats.com. Did you know that there is bacon flavored popcorn? And that it’s vegan? We actually first tried this at Erin‘s mom’s house last April. Someone had given her the bacon popcorn and bacon flavored mayonnaise as a joke! Steven and Erin popped the popcorn and gave it a try, but it smelled so much like real bacon that I didn’t try it!

My favorite products are the meat-free jerkys. I really like them all, but the Vegan Dream brand is my favorite, because I like pulling their jerky apart with my teeth to eat it. Ha ha. They really remind me of the texture of real jerky.  I’m also excited about trying some new products that Steven’s been working out deals on selling (coming soon to FakeMeats.com!), like vegan gravy mix, veggie burger mix and meat replacements for cooking (like what we’ve used to make our vegan chicken and biscuits before). 

Steven’s been having a lot of fun with getting the company set up, finding new products, and promoting them on the Fake Meats Facebook page. I asked if he would donate some products for my Season of Giving Giveaway series and he developed an entire sampler pack and threw in one extra item. The giveaway is for the Vegetarian/Vegan Combo Pack Sampler (products listed below) and a jar of Baconnaise.

Click first image to see larger

The Vegetarian/Vegan Combo Pack Sampler includes 1 of each of these products: 
BaconPOP Microwave Popcorn (vegan) 
Hickory Bacon Salt (vegan) 
Primal Strip – Teriyaki (vegan) 
Primal Strip – Hickory Smoked (vegan) 
Primal Strip – Texas BBQ (vegan) 
Stonewall’s Jerquee – Original Mild (vegan) 
Stonewall’s Jerquee – Peppy Pepperoni (vegan) 
Vegan Dream – Hickory Pepper Vegetarian Jerky (vegan) 
Vegan Dream – Teriyaki Vegetarian Jerky (vegan) <– MY FAVORITE!!! YUMMY!!!

In addition to the Combo Pack Sampler, one (1) jar of Baconnaise (Bacon Flavored Mayonnaise – vegetarian) is being included in the giveaway.

Even if you aren’t vegetarian or vegan, you can still enjoy these products! Enter below to get a chance to try them!

FakeMeats.com Giveaway Rules

1. FakeMeats.com is sponsoring the giveaway of one (1) Vegetarian/Vegan Combo Pack Sampler and one (1) Baconnaise (Bacon Flavored Mayonnaise). 
2. Required to enter the giveaway: “like” Fake Meats on Facebook (here) and leave me a comment letting me know that you did.
3. Optional extra entry: do a status update on Facebook about this contest and leave an additional comment letting me know you did. 
4. Optional extra entry: share this link on your blog and leave an additional comment letting me know you did.
   
5. This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Friday December 2. I will use random.org to select the winner. I will announce the winner on Saturday December 3. 
6. This giveaway is open to United States residents.

Comments (3)

By kilax, November 27, 2011 5:25 pm

Day 764 | November 21, 2011: 3 m run

I had an awesome 3 miler. I felt like I was flying! I’m not sure why the run felt so speedy and good. Maybe I was just excited about my new arm warmers… or anxious to get back in the house to take a warm shower!

Distance: 3.0 | Start Temp: 38° | End Temp: 38° | Time: 26:08 | Avg Pace: 8:42

Day 765 | November 22, 2011: cross

Erin and I took an intense one hour Cardio Kickboxing class (with some sneaky ab work added in the end). I liked the instructor. She was pretty easy to follow and I felt like it didn’t take me too long to get the hang of the moves. But wow. We did a lot! Some of the moves made me feel like I was tweaking a muscle, so I would tone it down for a bit. We actually are attending the class through a 10-class pass we got on Groupon, so we’ll get to go a few more times! Hopefully I get better. 

Day 766 | November 23, 2011: 5 m run + strength

Erin and I ran 5 miles, including a bit on Northerly Island, which I had never been to. It’s neat – this little park oasis in the city, with great views of the city! It was a nice day for a run – mid 40s, sun and no crazy wind! I started with arm warmers, but eventually pulled them down. It felt good to be out. Unfortunately for Erin, I was being a bit whiny and snarky about stupid crap. I need to cut that out!

Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 44° | End Temp: 47° | Time: 46:50 | Avg Pace: 9:21

I went to my strength class in the evening. Brian set up eight stations for us – we’d move through each one once then do punching moves, then go back to the stations. I told Brian when we started class that I was extremely sore from class the night before. Yet I somehow ended up partnered with him for the punching moves (we had an odd number of students) which meant I had to do twice the punching, when I had already done that the night before.

Needless to say, I felt like garbage. I was so sore I couldn’t even sleep well that night! So Thursday was a REST day!!!

Day 767 | November 24, 2011: rest

Day 768 | November 25, 2011: 4.5 m run + 2 m run (+ .5 m walk)

In the afternoon I ran on the hilly trail behind our house, then met up with Steven and did a run/walk (walk .2, run 1, walk .2, run 1, walk .1) on the trail. Both runs went well, despite the pesky headwind when going south. It was fun to run with Steven. We used to run together a lot, when we were training for our first half marathon in 2009. I always thought it was a good, uninterrupted (distraction-free!) way to converse. 

Distance: 4.5 | Start Temp: 54° | Time: 42:33 | Avg Pace: 9:26
Distance: 2.5 | End Temp: 52° | Time: 30:06 | Avg Pace: 12:03

Day 769 | November 26, 2011: 5 m run

100% chance of rain? Why, that sounds like a perfect time to run!

Ha ha, it did rain the whole time but it was not that bad. I felt good except for in the middle when my stomach cramped up. Other than that, I just felt bad that it was dark and I couldn’t see all the worms on the sidewalk – I tried not to step on them!

Mom, if you are reading this, the vest you got me worked well at keeping my upper body warm and mostly dry!

Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 52° | End Temp: 52° | Time: 46:53 | Avg Pace: 9:22

Day 770 | November 27, 2011: rest

Ran out of time! Tis’ the season to be running all over like a mad woman. 

Week Summary: 19.5 miles

Running was a lot easier this week, so yay!

Comments (10)

By kilax, November 26, 2011 6:02 am

Remember when I was all excited about my new bike trainer?  Well, I found an awesome place to store it – right at the top of the stairs, under this little table:

Oops. Maybe that is not such an awesome spot:

Luckily, that’s Steven’s toe, not mine (sorry, Babe) and it’s mostly healed by now. But ouch.

Steven and I were walking up the stairs and he was pretty close behind me and didn’t see the trainer and accidentally kicked it! A move like that is typical for me, but not for Steven. I am the klutz in the family!

Are you klutzy at all? Or all you all grace?

I am a total klutz, and sometimes, I think I am a bit accident-prone. I am really surprised I have not fallen off of my bike yet, or even fallen during a (running) race. I am just waiting for it to happen. Hopefully I will be able to laugh it off. And not hurt myself too much!

When I was in college, I had a sort of freak accident where a really heavy slate countertop fell on me and pinned me against a lab table. The blow from the table fractured my left wrist and left* my quads really bruised. Anyway… the next day, I was  leaving class (it was only the second day of winter semester) when I slipped on ice on the sidewalk and my stuff flew everywhere. But I was just thinking about protecting my wrist. So I laughed about it and my friends helped me up. 

I also thought the 2009 Fourth of July waterslide wrist ligaments tear incident was pretty amusing at the time… but then that following months of trying to take care of myself with only one good arm kind of sucked. It did in college when I fractured my wrist too. Hmm. I should be more careful.

Any somewhat amusing (now that it’s over) injury stories to share with me?

*Wow, the two “lefts” so close together make that statement kind of confusing.

The winner of the Season of Giving Giveaway #1: Wildskins Arm Warmers  is #14 – Melissa! Melissa, please email me at kilax@ilaxstudio.com to let me know which arm warmers you would like, as well as your mailing address.

Stay tuned for Season of Giving Giveaway #2 on Monday the 28th!

Comments (8)

By kilax, November 25, 2011 5:40 am

For the holidays, do you tend to buy one big item for people, or a bunch of little things? If it’s a bunch of little things, do you try to have a “theme” to tie it all together? Which would you rather receive (one big item or a bunch of little things)? What type of “theme” gifts do people get for you?

Recycled picture from last year’s Excited to Give post

Recycled picture from last year’s Helper Cat post

This year, it seems like I am picking up a lot of little gifts for people. And the only theme that the gifts have is “things Kim thinks you would really like.”* I do know people who will try to theme your whole gift – and get other people to go in on the theme too. For example, they give you a set of golf clubs, and have your parents get you a golf bag and tees and balls, and somehow convince your spouse to buy you golf lessons at the fanciest course in town. Then you open the gift and say “Thanks! I can’t wait to use this in four months when there isn’t a foot of snow on the ground.” Anyway, some people really get in to that.

The funny thing about that completely hypothetical situation is that I often buy Steven gifts that he cannot use until the spring. Like last year’s formula car driving Groupon. I’m going to try not to do that this year, but darnit, why does his birthday have to be three days before Christmas?!

Anyway, I digress. I actually think the themed gifts can be done right, if it’s a theme you are interested in! Like diamonds. Or cashmere. Okay, that’s obviously a joke. We all know a I don’t have that fine of taste. My major theme seems to be running/exercise. And sometimes Star Wars.

*Except for one person I already warned that almost all of her stuff seems to be cat-themed. Sigh. Oops!

Comments (13)

By kilax, November 24, 2011 11:32 am

My parents sent me the most hilarious Thanksgiving Card.

Can you guess where this is going?

Ha ha!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We won’t be having spaghetti today (per the card), but a lot of yummy side dishes. And we’re bringing the green bean casserole and dressing! Nom nom nom. 

Comments (26)

By kilax, November 23, 2011 4:57 am

Don’t forget to enter the Season of Giving Giveaway #1!

I should not be allowed to shop at Whole Foods without my husband. 

Or Target. Or Trader Joe’s. These are stores where I always find a few extra things to throw in the cart, and nothing seems to hold me back… I think I would do better with Steven there!

At least some of the Whole Foods items* were holiday gifts?! Right?! RIGHT?!!!

Which stores do you have a hard time sticking to your shopping list when you visit?

I went to Whole Foods to get fenugreek, vegan ice cream, and a special treat to put in someone’s holiday gift, and ended up with that bag, full to the top. I just love looking at all the different things at Whole Foods. Steven and I kind of get that way when we visit HyVee (another food store) in Iowa, because they have this healthy section that is full of unique items. I always see something I want to try! Like nasty vegan cheese!

*Unfortunately, one was this really nasty vegan cheese that we both took one bite of then spit out!

Comments (38)

By kilax, November 22, 2011 5:01 am

As a thank you to my readers, I will be doing one giveaway a week until Christmas. That’s five giveaways! The giveaways will all reflect different interests of mine, so of course, we will start with… running! And I am really excited about next week’s giveaway too…

Truth: I was not going to run last night. I felt a bit lazy when I got home. It’s the darkness. It makes me want to cozy up on the couch, and go to bed early.

But! When I got home I had received a package from Wildskins Arm Warmers. And when I opened the package and saw how cool the arm warmers were, I was too excited not to run!

I actually saw an ad for Wildskins Arm Warmers in the December issue of Running Times. I had never heard of them, so I looked at their site and loved all of their fun designs! Here are a few of my favorites:

After checking out their site I wrote them an email asking if they sponsor blogger reviews, and they offered to send me a pair of arm warmers to review. I was anxious to see which they would send, and I must say, I think the tropical design on this pair is so cool! I think I wasted about 10 minutes admiring them before I actually put them on to run. 

Each pair has thumb holes and a little pocket on one arm. Schweet! Honestly, I was worried I would not be able to fit these up over my large biceps (they are 13″ in circumference) but the little diagram above is true – the 10″ circumference stretched 3 inches to accommodate my larger arms. I hope I don’t stretch them out too much!

And the arm warmers did not budge at all during my run! They stayed right where they were supposed to, and kept me warm. It was about 38°F when I went out for my run in the dark. At first I was chilly, but after a few minutes, the arm warmers started keeping me warm. And bonus – when I was finished, I didn’t feel immediately chilly with them still on. I am not sure what material they are made out of, but they are more spandex-y than cotton-y. And more thin that thick cotton-y arm warmers, if that makes any sense. At all. 

The only bummer part is that I was running in the dark and no one could see how cute I was. But I knew! Ha ha. 

I tried the pocket out – stuck some chapstick in there – and that didn’t budge. And I could get it out and back in easily while running (sounds like a set up for a bad joke). 

And bonus! These arm warmers make you run fast!

Okay, maybe that was just the cool weather! And my general dorky excitement. 

Anyway, I recommend checking out their site. They have a lot of neat designs. And they are only $19.50 each! That seems like a steal to me. 

Thanks Wildskins, for letting me review your arm warmers!

I will be personally sponsoring the giveaway of one pair of arm warmers! 

Wildskins Arm Warmers Giveaway Rules

1. I will pay for one (1) pair of arm warmers for one (1) lucky reader!
2. To enter the giveaway, visit the Wildskins Product page and leave a comment letting me know which design you like the best!
3. To get an extra entry, share this link on your blog and leave an additional comment letting me know you did.
   
4. This giveaway is open until 5:00 PM CST on Friday November 25. I will use random.org to select the winner. I will announce the winner on Saturday November 26. 
5. This giveaway is open to all readers.

Comments (18)

By kilax, November 21, 2011 5:17 am

We normally don’t have a laptop out when we eat dinner*, but Saturday was a special occasion – our first Skype Dinner Date with Gina and Steve (our friends who live in Astoria)!

It was Gina’s idea – we all make the same dish then “eat” together! For our first session, we made Linguine with Broccoli Sauce and Garlic, and Garlic Bread. Steven and I added Boca Chik’n to ours. 

This is one of our favorite dishes. The garlic broccoli sauce is light, but super tasty. And the recipe is actually from a vegan cookbook that Gina gave me, called Vegan Italiano. Gina and Steve liked the dish too. We asked them to recommend the next dish for Skype Dinner Date #2!

We try to Skype with Gina and Steve about once a month. We miss them a lot. Skyping is not the same as spending time together in person, but it’s pretty close! And the Skype Dinner Date makes it feel even more personal!

Yes, we’re dorks.

How do you stay in touch with friends who live far away?

*Not gonna lie – we usually eat on the couch, while watching a movie.