Monday, February 29, 2016

Weekend Highs & Lows #22

Hello everyone!I hope you had a wonderful weekend filled with fun and exciting adventures  If you want more information about the party, please check out this post.



Highs:

This weekend was filled with fun and exciting things!

On Saturday, I went to yoga and lunch with my girlfriends and it was so nice.  I am not typically a huge fan of yoga, but this particular class was very relaxing and helped me get a fresh start to the day.  At lunch, we played around with the face swap filter on Snapchat and laughed so hard.  Thankfully, Sarah grabbed this picture of Christina and I playing with the filter - what a great picture.  I love spending time with my girlfriends.  They bring so much joy to my life and I am so blessed to have them.

On Saturday afternoon Justin and I put an offer on a house!!
I am so excited about this opportunity! We should know more tomorrow if the offer was accepted and I will be sure so share an update with you all when I know what is going on! 


On Saturday evening, Justin and I joined Nick, Kevin and Natalie (Nick's sister) to try out an Escape Room.  I had heard of them before, but had never been asked to go until now.  The premise of the event is that you are put into a room and you have to solve the clues to get out.  The tough part is you have one hour to get out of the room before your time is up! We managed to escape with just a little more than six minutes to spare.  I had so much fun and look forward to doing it again sometime soon. 




Lows:

I was SO cranky yesterday.  Like, do not look at me, do not talk to me, do not even think about me kind of cranky.  Poor Justin had to deal with that alllllll day yesterday.  Thankfully today is a new day and I'm not cranky today.



Previous Weekend Highs & Lows




I am sad to report that I was not able to participate in Sip "N" Sweat with Sarah and Christina last week.  I just had way too many things I had to get done by Friday and they overtook my awesome workout date plans.  We are going to make them up sometime soon and I will share it with you all then!


I also wanted to share about this neat event I am participating in starting today - The Cardio Blast challenge from Booya Fitness! This 14-day challenge is designed to help beat the cold this winter with some fun cardio intensive workouts.  If you have not heard about Booya Fitness, they are an online community where you have access to a wide variety of workouts at your finger tips.  




 The cool part is you have chances to win prizes at the end of the challenge and all you have to do is workout - and trust me, you want these prizes! 

 If you decide to participate in the challenge, make sure to let me know so we can connect! If you post on Instagram or twitter, make sure to tag me @RunwithJackabee and I'll make sure to tweet back or comment.  
Question of the Day: How was your weekend?
I'd love to hear from you!

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 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.
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Wednesday, February 24, 2016

What's Up Wednesday #7

Happy Wednesday Friends! Today I am linking up with Mix and Match Family, Pinterest Told Me To and The Larson Lingo for the What's Up Wednesday Post.  What's Up Wednesday occurs on the last Wednesday of every month and it is a fun list of questions getting ready for the upcoming month!


What We're Eating this Week: 

I had Olga's for dinner last night and that's about as much as I know for food for this week.  I've been failing on the food front.




What I'm Reminiscing About

Yesterday I went to a MSU to go meet some freshmen in college and let me tell you, it made me realize how much I miss my college days.  I have so many awesome memories from those years and have some pretty amazing friends too.  




What I'm Loving

Chili! I have been eating chili a lot lately since Michigan has been a bit chilly (pun intended).  There's a deli in my work that serves fresh chili and I find myself going there for lunch a lot to get a nice cup of chili for lunch.


What We've Been Up To

SO MUCH.  The last few weeks have been busy and I've been loving every minute of it.





What I'm Dreading

My commute home today.  We are supposed to be getting 6"-8" of snow while I am at work today and it will be AWFUL driving home from work today.  I may even have to cancel plans with my mom if the roads are really unsafe {which I am guessing they are}.  


What I'm Working On

Still working on cleaning up everything.  We managed to get our living room and kitchen picked up a bit, but we have a long way to go! I did buy The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing to help me get my life together since I feel like we have so much stuff we do not need in our home.



What I'm Looking Forward To

This weekend we are going to an escape room with our friend Kevin and Nick and I am excited/nervous to try this out.  If you don't know what it is, check out this site. 


What I'm Watching/Reading

Ellen's Design Challenge is such a fun show! She gives the contestants different concepts every week that they have a few days to build.  I love seeing all of the designs people come up with and I am always amazed at the talent of the contestants.


Last night I stumbled upon the Westminster Kennel Club 140th Dog Show on cable and ended up watching for a while.  I'm planning to watch the rest of it tonight! 


What I'm Listening To

Yesterday I shared with you the books I've been reading in the month of Febtuary.  This picture is a few days old, but I listened to the first and second book in the series over the month of February.  I cannot wait to start the 3rd book next month!



What I'm Wearing

With the weather all over the place lately, I've had some pretty wild outfits put together.  I'm looking forward to not wearing a winter jacket every day and being able to just wear a sweater.


What I'm Doing this Weekend

I mentioned this earlier, but we will be going to the Escape Room with Nick and Kevin.  I also have plans to do Yoga with some girlfriends on Saturday which will be a ton of fun!


Bonus: Favorite Easter Tradition

Going to church with my family and enjoying a big dinner. 



Previous What's Up Wednesday Posts:
What's Up Wednesday #5
What's Up Wednesday #6



Tomorrow I am participating in a fun event hosted by Fit Approach and Flex & Flow called Sip "N" Sweat.  If you're in the Portland area, they are gathering a large group of people in person! How fun! Otherwise, you can join virtually.

Here's what to do:
  1. Grab a friend.
  2. Have a sweat date. 
  3. Grab a glass of wine. 
  4. Post a picture on Instagram and tag #sweatpink, #flexandflow, #sipnsweat, @FitApproach, and @flexandflow.
Right now I am planning to workout with Christina and Sarah and do an upper body workout as those ladies are working on their pull-ups for this year! If I can, I will write down the workout and share it with you all during tomorrow's post. 

I'd love to hear from you!
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 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.
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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

February Book Review


Happy Tuesday Friends! I hope your week got off to a great start and you have exciting things planned for this week.  

For 2016, I have decided that it is important for me to take the time to read books... I know, I know, I say this every year, but this year I promise will be different! 

The goal is to each month, read a random assortment of books and share a few thoughts about the book (but not too much as I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone).  I love reading and I love sharing books with you guys.

Plus, this is a great opportunity for you all to share some of your awesome reads with me! 

If you want to follow/friend me on Goodreads, click here.

And you can keep track all year long by clicking 2016 Books at the top of my blog.  I will keep a running list of books right there for you.

Okay, time for the books I've read // currently reading in February!


The 5th Wave
When I saw the advertisement for this movie, I knew that I had to read the book.  I tend to favor Young Adult Fantasy and Sci-Fi books and this one falls well into that category.  From the beginning of the book, you are quickly drawn into the story of Cassie and her brother surviving the biggest catastrophe the earth has ever seen.  The book centers around explaining the waves of the invasion and the thought behind each wave.  I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading Sci-Fi books.   



The second book in The 5th Wave series, The Infinite Sea, is equally as exciting as the first.  The 5th Wave ended on a little bit of a cliffhanger, so I was thrilled I was able to start the next book right away to see what happened to Cassie and her brother.  I found myself grabbing every free minute I could to read the book which should be an indication of how much I enjoyed the book.  There is one more book in the series, and I fully intend to read that in the month of March. 

I still have not finished this book yet (whoops), but I thought I would share with you ladies.  I had the amazing opportunity to see Jennifer Rothschild speak a few years back and she is amazing.  Invisible is perfect for any woman who is struggling to find value in herself and in her relationship with Jesus.  Plus, Rothschild straight talks about her own life, which I can appreciate.  She also has a version of this book geared specifically for young women that could be good for the pre-teen or teen in your life. 


Well that is all for my books for February! Make sure to stop by tomorrow when I am link up with some awesome ladies for....



Plus, we have a bonus question this week: 




Question of the Day: What good books are you currently reading? 



I'd love to hear from you!
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Monday, February 22, 2016

Weekend Highs & Lows #21

Hello everyone!I hope you had a wonderful weekend filled with fun and exciting adventures  If you want more information about the party, please check out this post.



Highs:

 On Saturday, I went to a very dear friends baby shower and everything was beautiful.  Her name is Mary, so of course, the theme was "Mary had a little lamb".  We had a wonderful time eating delicious food and enjoying the company of loved ones.  Not to mention, it was over fifty degrees and sunny on Saturday.  Talk about a little treat for us Michiganders!



Sunday was a crazy busy day between picking my mom up from the airport, attending a blogger event and spending the evening relaxing with my girlfriends.  I was super excited about the blogger event because I had the opportunity to try Barre Fitness for the first time.  Let me tell you, that was fun! I will be doing a post late this week/early next week about the blogger event once the event photos are released and I can put my stuff together.  Make sure to check back for that post as there will be a giveaway.



Lows:

No lows here! This weekend was so much fun.






Previous Weekend Highs & Lows
I'd love to hear from you!
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Thursday, February 18, 2016

Hemp Heart Bars by Manitoba

The following is a sponsored post, which means I am compensated in some form for writing it. 

Happy Thursday friends! I hope your week has gone well so far and you are looking forward to Friday tomorrow!


When it comes to working out and eating healthy, I am probably the most lost and naive person you will ever meeting.  But if there is one thing I do strive to have on a regular basis, that would be convenience and taste.  Often times I find myself grabbing a granola bar of some sort to snack on or use as a meal replacement, so when when I had the opportunity to review the Hemp Heart Bars from Manitoba Harvest, I was very excited.


A Little Bit About Hemp Heart Bars

"Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heart bars are crafted with the goodness of hemp and other tasty ingredients too. We’ve whipped up three different delicious flavours to choose from: vanilla, chocolate and apple cinnamon. Each 45 gram bar contains 10 grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of omegas, so whether you grab one for a pre-workout snack or nutrition on the go, these convenient bars are sure to get you through even your busiest day!" (see link to this quote here).

My Thoughts

On Monday before my workout, I decided to give the Hemp Heart Bars a try because I was exhausted and starving.  I knew that to get through the entire workout, I was going to have to give myself a little snack to get through the workout.


I really was not sure what to expect when I opened the bar, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.  It smelled amazing and tasted delicious.  And on top of that, it really did help me get the energy I needed to push myself through the entire workout.  I am thinking that this could be a good meal supplement in the morning with a smoothie since there are 10 grams of protein in each bar.  And at 220 calories, you do not have to feel guilty about eating it.


Interested in trying the bars? Manitoba Harvest is offering 15% off of their Hemp Heart Bars! Just go to their site and use the code: hhbarlaunch1015 (expires 03/31/16). 

Manitoba Harvest is also running a photo contest for a chance to win a box of your favorite flavor of Hemp Heart Bars each month and be featured in their social steam on their website.  To be entered, share a picture on Instagram and Tag @manitobaharvest and use the hashtag #fuelledbyhemp.  One lucky winner will be chosen each month.  Must be 18+ and reside in the United States or Canada.  No purchase necessary. 

Question of the Day: What is your favorite protein bar? 


I'd love to hear from you!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free from Manitoba Harvest in Association with Fit Approach. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Read my full disclosure policy here.



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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Cupids Undie Run Recap

Happy Wednesday Friends! I hope you are having a great week so far! 

Today I wanted to share with you about the race that I participated in this past weekend with Christina! If you can remember, I made a plan to run one race a month for the entire year.  January I ran the Disney 1/2 Marathon and this month I participated in Cupid's Undie Run.  I had never heard about this race until Christina told me to sign up and run it with her.  


A little bit about Cupid's Undie Run

"Cupid’s Undie Run is a mile(ish) run in your bedroom-best on Valentine’s weekend. No, we’re not crazy, we’re just crazy serious about raising money for The Children’s Tumor Foundation (see link here)".  "The Cupid's Undie Run raises money for Neurofibromatosis (NF): a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body, causing blindness, deafness, learning disabilities and severe chronic pain."

But why the Underwear?

You already know we run to raise money for CTF and kick NF in the butt. But why do we run with our butts out? It’s simple. We run in our undies because people with NF can’t cover up their tumors. They can’t put clothes on to feel more comfortable, so why should we?

To read more about Cupid's Undie Run - check out their site here.


So Here we Are:

When Christina asked me to do this run with her I thought she was absolutely crazy, but since I am working to constantly push myself out of my comfort zone, I signed up.

The day of the race, we bundled ourselves up with as many layers possible because there was no way we were going to run outside in our underwear.  No. Way.  After arriving to the race, we were greeted by one of the best parties I have ever seen - there was delicious bar food, great music (think like club music), balloons everywhere and alcohol.



Oh and did I mentioned the hundreds of people walking around in their underwear? Every where you looked there were people just standing there in their underwear.  And, to be honest, after a while we began to realize that having all of the layers on was really not what this race was about.

So to join in the festivities, we decided to go in our athletic pants and sports bras - not quite full underwear garb, but out of our comfort zones for sure.  And to be honest, after a while it was liberating.  So often we are so quick to judge ourselves when other people do not care what we look like.  After a while, I forgot I was in just my sports bra and began to just enjoy the party.


While we waited for the race to start, we had our pictures taken in the photo booth and had our faces painted.  I felt like such a little kid when I got my face painted but I loved every minute of it.  We also ran into one of my old friends and were able to meet her roommate and hang out with them for a little while.  

When it was time to finally run, we made our way up to the front door and realized then exactly how crazy we were.  On Saturday, the high temperature was 16° with a windchill of about 1° - think about that.  These people, including us, were about to run outside with significantly less clothing than should be appropriate in this weather.  AND on top of that, we were to run a mile.

And we did.  We ran that mile surround by hundreds of other crazy people just like ourselves.  I loved every minute of it and would happily do this again.  In fact, I've already told Christina that if I am around, I will be signing up to run this race again.


Cupid's Undie Run takes place all over the United States, so if you are wanting to participate, you should check it out! 

Our afternoon ended with a quick stop to Krispy Kreme for a heart-shaped doughnut in honor of Valentine's Day.   


Such a fun race! I look forward to sharing my next race with you all next month! As always, if you have suggestions of a run that I should participate in, please do share! 

To read more about the races I participated in already and will be participating in for the rest of the year, please check out my 2016 Races Page!


Question of the Day: Would you run in your underwear for a good cause? 


I'd love to hear from you!

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