Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Did you enjoy time with family and/or friends? Did you enjoy some delicious food? I am thankful to say I did both. My contribution to the Thanksgiving feast was some seasoned baked potato fries. They turned out even better than I could have imagined. I think the sea salt I used was the secret ingredient in addition to some other spices.

Juicing!

I bought a juicer! I have been watching so many people jump on the juicing band wagon (sounds a bit weird when I put it that way...), and I thought I'd give it a try. And....?? I love it! It is fun, tasty and healthy! I have really been enjoying trying new flavor combinations and adding more veggies into my diet.

Unfortunately I haven't been able to capture a particularly appetizing picture of my juice just yet, so I'm going to include a pretty fall picture instead. Enjoy!

Michigan Awesome T-Shirt Review!

Greetings! Have I got a cool review for you all today, especially for those of you lucky enough to call Michigan your home (or previous home!). Michigan Awesome is a company that celebrates "state pride & hometown love." Based out of Holland, MI, this company has a great collection of high quality goods including t-shirts and cool accessories. I was sent the totally awesome "Bike Michigan" women's fitted t-shirt to review. I am very proud to wear it as I love cycling and Michigan is my favorite state in which to cycle.

10 of 10! I can think of nothing that would make this t-shirt or company better. The shirt design is fantastic (as are many of the others), the fabric is comfortable, the fit is flattering, and the website is easy to navigate and order from. I encourage you to check them out!

Summer Adventure Part 2: Seattle!

What a summer of travel and fun! First I went abroad and just a few weeks ago I spent a week in Seattle! I've never traveled so much in my life, but I've really been enjoying it. The world is a beautiful place, and I want to see as much of it as I can.

I made sure to keep fit on my trip by fitting in lots of walking and hiking - who needs a bus when you've got two feet? ...and you don't have to go all that far. I probably walked around 10 miles each day while I was there. Some of the gorgeous places I saw are pictured below. I fall in love with photography more every year.

Stay tuned for more updates and reviews coming at you! It's time for me to catch up. ^_^

Darn Tough Vermont Socks Review

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July yesterday! Today I am thrilled to share my review of two pairs of socks from Darn Tough Vermont. "Darn tough?" you ask... "Are the socks actually that tough?" I am here to tell you YES! These socks are so tough that they have a lifetime guarantee! And if you want to learn more about what actually makes the socks so tough, look here.

Below are the two complimentary pairs I received: Mountaineering Over-the-Calf Extra Cushion and Solid 1/4 Sock Cushion.

The Mountaineering Over-the-Calf Extra Cushion Sock is great for hiking and biking on cool, early mornings. This sock is very versatile in that it kept me warm at the start of the morning, and then cool when the temperature heated up. This heavy duty sock is built to last while also being very comfortable. I love it!

The shorter Solid 1/4 Sock Cushion Sock was the perfect sock to bring with me on my backpacking trip in Ireland. I was able to alternate it with some other socks (since Merino Wool is naturally antimicrobial, repelling bacteria and odor) while it kept my feet cool and comfortable as I put in many miles walking, hiking, and exploring.

I highly recommend Darn Tough Vermont for your sock needs, especially if you're an active individual and want socks that are as tough as you. ;-)

Adventures Abroad!

Where have I been the past month? Not blogging, alas. I've been in the UK and Ireland! It was my first trip across the Atlantic, and I had a wonderful time meeting new people, learning about local history, and seeing some absolutely gorgeous places! I hope I can return some day and see everything I missed. :-) And I know this is short, but I'll have another post for you all soon!

Here are some pictures from my travels:

DeFeet Running and Cycling Socks Review

When running, cycling, or doing any other exercise, it's nice to give your feet a little TLC. They take a lot from us, especially with weight-bearing activities. Good socks with good shoes are a fantastic combination, and I am happy to introduce you all to DeFeet and their line of socks today. But don't think that's all they have! They have lots of other running and cycling gear too! And they were named Business of the Year (2011) in North Carolina!

I was sent a complimentary pair of the Aireator and D-Evo pictured below to review.

I loved the Aireator. It's so comfortable, lightweight, and breathable, not to mention stylish. It's a cycling sock built by cyclists for cyclists, and it was the first product that launched DeFeet and today its still the workhorse of the DeFeet line. I also love that this sock is made from COOLMAX® EcoMade, an eco-friendly polyester that comes from recycled plastic bottles.

I was equally impressed with the D-Evo! The extra cushion was fantastic. This sock is truly built for a runner with mid-foot support and sculpted forefoot and heel padding. There's even a soft, padded tab at the lower Achilles tendon. Like the Aireator, this sock is also made from recycled resources and certified COOLMAX® EcoMade to help wick moisture and keep feet dry, even during the most demanding conditions.

These socks are reliable, comfortable, and perfect for runners, cyclists, and more! You should definitely check them out.

RAYGUN Shirt Review

Have you heard of RAYGUN? Do you live in the Iowa or the Midwest? If so, you need to know this company, and I am very happy to be able to tell you more about RAYGUN today. RAYGUN sells hilarious and unique t-shirts and other products. According to their website, "The company's goals remain unchained: create stuff that makes people laugh, save America from 10,000 years of darkness, and find a way to get out of this t-shirt thing and into something like pharmaceuticals or petroleum." Lol - I think those are great goals. ;-)

Originally from Iowa, I am especially fond of this company's many Iowa-themed products (don't worry, they've got other states covered too!).  I was sent the "Heaven" t-shirt to review, and it is pictured below.

I rate this shirt a 10 of 10. I love the design (If you haven't watched Field of Dreams, do yourself a favor and do) and the soft, comfortable fabric. I couldn't ask for more in a t-shirt.

Love My Schwinn

Winter is finally over here in Michigan, and I am making the most of the warm weather we have been enjoying recently. I’ve already taken my road bike (an older Schwinn) out for a couple 20 mile rides and love the feeling of speeding up (yes, this can be fun in moderation) and down hills with the *almost* summer sun beating down on me. Freedom never felt this good after such a long, cold winter. I am certainly not in prime cycling condition at the moment, but I think I will be back to where I was at the end of last summer in a month or so. I’ve got to make sure I’m ready for a few century rides this year after all.

What are you all doing to celebrate the end of winter? Starting new exercise regimes?

U-Bake OATOMIC Energy Bar Review

Greetings my friends! April is almost here, and I am very much looking forward to heading outside more often and getting in some long bike rides. On my longer rides, I like to bring a snack to keep up my energy levels. I have recently found a new product that would work great for such a snack!

Lockhart Fine Foods has created a new product: the U-Bake OATOMIC™ Energy Bar. You purchase the dough (packaged in pre-portioned layers) and bake it at home. You can then easily bake a fresh, healthy snack at any time! Each 1.7 oz bar is loaded with oats, raisins, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and ground flaxseed, and sweetened naturally with applesauce and evaporated cane juice. These tasty bars are high in Omega-3's, low in sodium and free of refined sugars and preservatives. What a cool concept!

9.5 of 10! These sweet oat bars are light and airy, yet quite satisfying. I loved the crunchy nuts and dried fruit pieces. I was surprised at how flavorful they were too! Yum! They are also super easy to make and taste even better warm out of the oven. I definitely recommend these to anyone who likes energy bars and wants to try something new. You won't be disappointed!

Feel free to check them out on Facebook too!