by Mollie Millington | Jul 18, 2016 | eating, product review
There is so much going on in my life right now- big project deadlines looming at work, teaching group ex classes, training for my big endurance events, being a wife, taking care of Oldland and squeezing in a good night’s sleep. All this leaves little time for food prep, planning my meals, or packing healthy snacks. Luckily, I have had opportunities to try some new food products on the market. I thought I would let you know which ones I have tried.
Primal Pantry bars– If you have been a long time reader, you know that I have dabbled with Whole30. Primal Pantry bars are grain-free, vegan and lack added sugar. I tried 3 different flavors during a long bike ride around Reading. They were all really yummy, didn’t upset my stomach and seemed to give me enough energy to keep up with the boys.
Men’s Health Kitchen frozen meals– These have been a Godsend for me. We were able to try all 12 flavors. Each was absolutely delicious! The combination of flavors and foods were very hearty and filling (quinoa, lentils, rice, etc). The portions didn’t seem very big but I was never hungry after finishing one. Plus they retail at only £3, which is a bargain compared to a drink, sandwich and crisps.
Ugly Drinks– For the record, I am not a sparking water kind of girl. I do like pop though, so I thought I would give the Lemon-Lime and Pomegranate flavors a try. Unfortunately, I didn’t really like them, perhaps because the flavour wasn’t very strong (as it would be with soda pop). My co-workers tried Ugly Drinks too and had the brilliant idea to use Ugly Drinks as a mixer.
Dr Zak’s nut butters and high protein bagels– I am obsessed with Raspberry Peanut Butter (in particular, putting in Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream). When I first saw it as a flavor, I thought it would be really weird. More so than Apple Cinnamon, which was the other flavor I was able to try. But Raspberry PB was also good on plain bagels and bananas. I really liked Apple Cinnamon on toasted Cinnamon and Raisin bagels. When I had this for breakfast, I felt full all morning. These products are something I would keep in my desk at work for a quick post RUNCH snack.
Yokebe protein drink– This drink is marketed as a weight loss drink, but I was using it as a protein recovery drink. I followed the directions to mix it with milk and vegetable oil. The powder smelled like vanilla pudding my grandma used to give me as a kid so I had high hopes. It wasn’t very sweet but I prefer the drink mixed with only milk. It is pretty filling and another good think to have in your desk drawer.
Seriously Summer at Costa– Costa has launched a new menu for the summer which are great if you need to pick up something on the go. I tried a falafel couscous salad wrap and grape/watermelon/strawberry (Red Super Day) smoothie. Both were delicious!
So these are some foods you can have on hand to help you fuel when on the go. What new foods have you tried lately that you would recommend?
Please note I was sent samples from all of these brands. As always, opinions are honest and my own.
by thinkmarsh | Jul 18, 2016 | eating, product review
There is so much going on in my life right now- big project deadlines looming at work, teaching group ex classes, training for my big endurance events, being a wife, taking care of Oldland and squeezing in a good night’s sleep. All this leaves little time for food prep, planning my meals, or packing healthy snacks. Luckily, I have had opportunities to try some new food products on the market. I thought I would let you know which ones I have tried.
Primal Pantry bars– If you have been a long time reader, you know that I have dabbled with Whole30. Primal Pantry bars are grain-free, vegan and lack added sugar. I tried 3 different flavors during a long bike ride around Reading. They were all really yummy, didn’t upset my stomach and seemed to give me enough energy to keep up with the boys.
Men’s Health Kitchen frozen meals– These have been a Godsend for me. We were able to try all 12 flavors. Each was absolutely delicious! The combination of flavors and foods were very hearty and filling (quinoa, lentils, rice, etc). The portions didn’t seem very big but I was never hungry after finishing one. Plus they retail at only £3, which is a bargain compared to a drink, sandwich and crisps.
Ugly Drinks– For the record, I am not a sparking water kind of girl. I do like pop though, so I thought I would give the Lemon-Lime and Pomegranate flavors a try. Unfortunately, I didn’t really like them, perhaps because the flavour wasn’t very strong (as it would be with soda pop). My co-workers tried Ugly Drinks too and had the brilliant idea to use Ugly Drinks as a mixer.
Dr Zak’s nut butters and high protein bagels– I am obsessed with Raspberry Peanut Butter (in particular, putting in Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream). When I first saw it as a flavor, I thought it would be really weird. More so than Apple Cinnamon, which was the other flavor I was able to try. But Raspberry PB was also good on plain bagels and bananas. I really liked Apple Cinnamon on toasted Cinnamon and Raisin bagels. When I had this for breakfast, I felt full all morning. These products are something I would keep in my desk at work for a quick post RUNCH snack.
Yokebe protein drink– This drink is marketed as a weight loss drink, but I was using it as a protein recovery drink. I followed the directions to mix it with milk and vegetable oil. The powder smelled like vanilla pudding my grandma used to give me as a kid so I had high hopes. It wasn’t very sweet but I prefer the drink mixed with only milk. It is pretty filling and another good think to have in your desk drawer.
Seriously Summer at Costa– Costa has launched a new menu for the summer which are great if you need to pick up something on the go. I tried a falafel couscous salad wrap and grape/watermelon/strawberry (Red Super Day) smoothie. Both were delicious!
So these are some foods you can have on hand to help you fuel when on the go. What new foods have you tried lately that you would recommend?
Please note I was sent samples from all of these brands. As always, opinions are honest and my own.
by thinkmarsh | Jun 16, 2016 | community, eating, running
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| After 1st lap. On my 2nd cookie. |
On Wednesday, I accidentally ran a marathon. Accidentally probably isn’t the right word. Maybe unexpectedly is more appropriate? My friend, Lucy, (we ran Mill Hill Marathon together) and I set out to take part in Saxons, Vikings, and Normans (SVN) Cookie-a-Thon. The course was a 5.36 mile loop with lots of cookies in between each lap. I had 6 miles to do according to my Berlin marathon training plan from Hal Higdon. Lucy had been toying with the idea of running 100 marathons but wasn’t planning on it when the starting bell went off. We decided we were aiming for a half marathon and then would see how we feel.
It was an early start for both Lucy and I as the race was in Challock, Kent. We both left our homes by 6am and she picked me up from the Ebbsfleet International train station. I didn’t fuel properly in the days leading up to the race and didn’t get much sleep the night before so I was unsure how I would feel on the day. I did 90 of spinning both Monday and Tuesday nights meaning I wasn’t physically rested either. I was also worried about injury. If my Achilles tendinitis, plantar facisitis, or periformis pains started acting up again, I would be really cross with myself.
But the gang at SVN are so incredibly friendly it is hard not to have a good time when you are at one of their events (we had previously attended their Unusual Suspects challenge in February). We had a late start due to the toilet queue but set out on the trails only a few minutes late. We weren’t worried though because the time limit was eight hours. I found the course to be hilly (1500+ feet elevation change according to Strava). There were some bits in the sun and some in the shaded wood which was nice. The weather was a bit funny, as half the time it was raining and the other half the sun was out.
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| Bit of the course through the Forestry Commission park we ran in. |
We aimed to run the first two laps and would then use a walk/run strategy if we were going to continue. Lucy’s stomach was bothering her so we did walk a little bit on the first two laps. For the next lap, we decided to walk uphills. We didn’t stick to a specific time or distance interval when breaking up the final three laps between walking and running. We listened to our bodies and tried to get around. Many of the participants were doing the same and we had a good chat with them too. Lucy learned what ‘Quest for the Vest’ is and declared she is out to be part of the 100 marathon club.
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| So many cookies! |
Part of the Cookie-A-Thon was runners bringing in cookies. Awards were given out for best cookie, best cookie with peanut butter cookie, best vegan cookie and best cookie with chocolate. The SVN community is very inclusive. Everyone on the trails is friendly and encouraging other runners as they pass. There are many smiling volunteers supporting the event and Travis, the co-founder & chairman of 100 Marathon Club, walked the route backwards and chatted with each runner as they went passed.
It was an amazing feeling as we set off on our last lap because we knew we were going to have completed another marathon. We took inspiration from Lucy’s daughter, who isn’t a runner, yet managed 15 miles at the Unusual Suspects event. It gets to the point in the ‘race’ (not the best word in this case due the to community-feel that is more akin to parkrun) where it is more mental. When you take away the pressure to run all 26.2 miles and you don’t have masses of people passing you, it is very freeing. It was my 3rd marathon and Lucy’s 9th. The bling is amazing (so heavy I couldn’t wear it while I was stretching out). We spent a lot of time stretching after we finished and talking to some of the people who ran ultras that day. I was a bit stiff that evening but today my legs felt alright.
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| Check out the bling! |
I must still be delirious because I signed up to run the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2017 with Plantlife today. Instead of running 100 marathons, I am aiming to run the World Marathon Majors courses (I have always wanted to do a race in every state and as many countries as possible. I have a long ways to go).
If you love running, and eating, I highly recommend you become involved with the SVN community. You will not regret it.
If you have run any of the Major races, please leave a comment below with your favourite memories of the race. I have Berlin in September and will need to work on the rest in 2017 and beyond.
by thinkmarsh | Apr 8, 2016 | beauty, eating, gift guide, product review
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| Lean Greens |
One of the fun bits about being a blogger is trying out products before a big marketing launch. Samples might come to me from goody bags, via other bloggers who are not a good fit for the brand, or from the brand finding me on social media. I will only share products that fit in with health and happiness (along with my skin allergy) so here are a few I recently tried and think you should too:
Lean Greens– The health benefits of algae and other superfoods are all over the news lately. Lean Greens takes veg and makes it into a handy portable drink. The smell is very similar to my Energy Bits but it tastes good (remember to swallow Energy Bits rather than chew). The first ingredient listed for Lean Green is malodextrin (aka sugar, which probably helps with the taste) but I don’t know how much sugar there is per serving. I use it as a meal replacement on the Tube if I am running late for work. All you need is a protein shaker and water. And the Lean Greens of course!
Sass Intimate lotion– I finally was able to try the lotion after a bikini wax (not that I needed one as Florida was too cold and rainy to swim). I used the Sportive Recovery Serum and Perfect Skin Concentrate lotions to help prevent ingrown hairs and to reduce irritation after running and shaving. Neither irritated my skin (which is sensitive due to allergies). I did not try any of these internally (nor will I). Nature knows best when it comes to lady bits. If you regularly wax and exercise, you would really benefit by trying Sass out on your thighs on bikini line.
The Protein Works Bircher Breakfast– Very easy to use if you can plan ahead. Simply add water, milk, or nut milk to this pot and leave for a few hours. I added milk and left in the fridge overnight. It was a very fast and filling breakfast. A small spoon is included in the container too. I wish the pot itself wasn’t plastic but I don’t think cardboard would last overnight with the added liquid. Super handy for camping, early training sessions and life on the go.
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| Goodies from The Protein Works |
The Protein Works Diet Protein Truffles– OMG. I think the flavour of the mint chocolate truffles is delicious. My husband doesn’t have as big a sweet tooth as I do and said it was pretty good for a protein snack. The size is perfect and with 10.7g of protein, it is pretty filling. I can’t wait to try the other flavours.
Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 soap– What amazing smells! I washed my hair and body with the hemp lavender scent after my marathon. It lathered well but left my hair feeling a little dry. Usually I use conditioner and leave in conditioner, so it felt very different to me. It gave my hair great body though.
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| Dr. Bronner’s 18 in 1 soap |
Supergrain Protein Pot- Similar to the Bircher Breakfast, this superfood pot simply requires hot water. The nutritious ingredients include white hemp, ancient grains, and sunflower protein. It was ready in only a few minutes and tasted like warm brownie mix. It is lactose- and dairy- free too.
Green People quinoa and calendula shower gel– Another great goody bag find! The smell is subtle, yet refreshing and it feels soft when applied to my hands and skin. The winter wind along with frequent hand washing makes my skin so dry this time of year. This shower gel is a nice treat.
What are you favourite finds lately that makes living healthy and happy a bit easier?
All of these items were sent to me as samples in return for a review. All opinions are honest and my own. What can I say? I love to eat!
by thinkmarsh | Feb 22, 2016 | eating, product review, recipe
One of the things I miss most about living in the USA is having space for all my stuff. We visited my mom and step-dad at the start of January and I am pretty sure my flat would fit in their basement. Don’t get me wrong, I love our flat and am excited to be putting decorations up that make it ours, but I do wish it had a bit more storage. For example, our galley kitchen has limited counter space, which means I can’t invest in every kitchen gadget I see. I couldn’t even bring my pink Kitchen Aid mixer with me when we moved (I did bring my hand mixer, which blew up the first time I used it so it was probably best that I left my stand mixer with my mom).
Aside from spiralizers, juicers seemed to be the hot Christmas gift this year. I was aware of the
Vitamix Total Nutrition Center Blender from my studies at Institute for Integrative Nutrition, but the NUTRiBULLET Pro 900 Series Extractor was new on my radar. There are lots of kitchen appliances aimed at improving your health, but they all involved a financial investment and coveted space in my kitchen. Plus, would I use it? (After uni, I really wanted a bread maker. My step-sister lent me hers to try out. I used it once and watched it sit unloved for a month before returning it).
I was super-psyched when my friend, Elle, told me about her new business venture, Borrow My Blender (BMB). For a low weekly fee, you can rent a Nutribullet, Vitamix, Kitchen Aid or MagiMix anywhere in the UK. London-based folks can arrange in-person delivery and pick up or Elle can ship to you if you live farther away. I had the Nutribullet, complete with several cups, handles and a recipe plan book. Elle also provides a bunch of recipes to customers. There is a required security deposit, but this is promptly refunded once you return the appliance.
First off, I didn’t realise the Nutribullet had a lifestyle plan. It was really interesting to read what they recommend in terms of ingredients for smoothies, shakes, and soups. I made the following cholesterol busting recipe off of their website and it was really yummy!
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Nutribullet Cholesterol Crusher
Blast Smoothie- before |
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| After! Yum. |
I also experimented a little with flavours I like and things we had in the cupboard. The book gave inspiration too. I would have never considered adding whole nuts or dates to my smoothies. The Nutribullet is so powerful, it chopped up everything I threw in in less than 1 minute! The handles made it easy to blend and go without too many extra dishes to wash. A few mornings, I brought a smoothie to sip on the train with me instead of having breakfast at the table.
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| Improvising with what I had in the house. |
BMB was really helpful to me as I could rent the Nutribullet without having to buy it first. I learned it wasn’t as big as I thought it would be and I found it easy to clean. I could also see people using BMB if they want to kick start a healthy habit of smoothies for breakfast or if preparing for a big event, such as a wedding, beach holiday or family reunion. BMB also can come to your London event and prepare smoothies for your guests, which is a nice touch after a group run or yoga class.
I am very proud of Elle and encourage you to support her small business. Like the BMB Facebook page to stay in the loop with her latest news. Or contact BMB to rent one of their appliances.
I received a complimentary loan from BMB of the Nutribullet. All opinions are honest and my own.
Seriously Summer at Costa– Costa has launched a new menu for the summer which are great if you need to pick up something on the go. I tried a falafel couscous salad wrap and grape/watermelon/strawberry (Red Super Day) smoothie. Both were delicious!
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