Coach Jen B

I have an extreme weakness for snacking and sweets.   Once I have just one little bite, I'm a goner.   I stay in check much better when I focus on eating clean and staying away all of those temptations... you know... chips, brownies, cupcakes.  I could go on and on, but you get the idea!   Now how on earth do I get through the day without breaking?  First of all, I'm super stubborn.  That helps.  Second, I make sure I'm well stocked with healthy snack options.   And lucky for me.... Big Slice has  16 DELICIOUS flavors to choose from! pure  *orange ginger  *apricot  *natural *blueberry pomegranate *lemon berry *chai *cherry vanilla fit  *banana mango and hemp seed *peach green tea and aloe *pineapple passion fruit and fiber *raspberry hibiscus and green coffee extract  luxe  *peach bellini  *cinnamon candy  *boysenber...

Hello December 1st!  Here in Maine, it feels and look like winter is in full swing.   Looks like it should a Christmas photo?  Nope.  This would be a Thanksgiving morning photo!  Craziness.   On Saturday, I met up with Carrie and Leslie for a 12 mile run.  It was a very chilly run - started out in the upper teens and was mid 20's by the end of the run.    photo courtesy of Leslie! I'm rather thankful it was sunny and there was very little wind, which made the weather conditions much more bearable.  However, the company was fantastic!  Looks like Carrie and I love Spandits?  Right?  Well, we do.   You should buy some today.   ( Cyber Monday - in stock items at Spandits are 25% off!!! )  -- tell the ladies that Jen (and Carrie) sent you.   photos from Leslie and Jen  Then Sunday, the temperature was warmer, but it was overcast and raining in the morning.  I st...

"I'm too busy.   I have a meeting.   I have to go grocery shopping.   I have kids.   I have to work.    My husband is working and I don't have anyone  to watch the kids."   Yeah, I've heard it all.  I've said it all.   But there comes a time when the excuses run out and all you have left is that unfit/unhealthy feeling where you don't even know what to do with yourself anymore.   I've been here too.  Not fun.   I've got the cure for you!  No excuses.   If fitness is your goal - make it your priority.   No excuses.   Or better yet.  Let's look at my past few months.  Training gone bad with an injury. Which left myself gaining some weight and not really being at my best.  Then heading off to MDI to watch other runner friends I know kick some major bootie in their races.  Why is that? Because they trained hard.  They didn't make ...

Helllooo FRIDAY!   First full week of school and I AM WIPED!   Just in case you missed it, I have a new teaching assignment this year, which I am quite pumped about.  I made the switch from teaching Special Education for 14 years to mainstream High School Math.  I've got to say I absolutely LOVE it!   It is taking a little bit of time for me to adjust to my new role, so I've been a bit absent in the social media world.   Since it's Friday, one of my favorite days of the week, I'm going to share some of favorites!   Marika Slimming Capris Every woman needs a basic black pair of capris in her wardrobe.  If you've been looking for THAT pair... Marika has the best one for you!  I was sent a pair of Marika Slimming Capris to review and they have quickly moved up to top of my rotation.  You know how it is - we women have these drawers/closets full of clothing, but somehow we tend to wear the same things over and over again. ...

Happy Monday everyone!  2 more days until Christmas.   Are you ready?    All I have left to do is some wrapping and a last minute trip for Ward's stocking stuffers.   Do you do stockings?  What do you put in your husband/significant others?  I'm putting some running sleeves and then I'll head to Rite Aid and get some cheesy things like a toothbrush, floss, deodorant, and such.    But that's all I have left to do.   I have some exciting news.  I've been asked to be an ambassador for Core Power .  Core Power has been named the "Official Protein drink of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games".   You are excited for the Olympics, right? I, myself, cannot wait!!!   Everyone needs protein.  Even Olympians! Core Power is made with natural whey and casein proteins found in milk, never removed from their original state.  What I'm impressed with is that these protein drinks are made with ...

Disclaimer:  I was provided two Designer Whey canisters to review as part of my affiliation with FitFluential.  As always, all opinions expressed on my blog are 100% my own.   I love smoothies!  I enjoy putting a bunch of delicious ingredients into my blender, blending away, and tasting the sweet rewards of my experiment.  Having an excellent protein powder to add into the mix only makes my smoothies better in terms of taste and a punch of healthy.   Smoothies are incredibly easy to make in the morning and just bring along with me, where I happen to be going for the day - work, shopping, garden, or just to the deck to enjoy my lovely summer.  I especially had a lot of fun making some fun smoothies with Designer Whey Sustained Energy Protein Powder.   The first smoothie I decided to make was a Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie.  I had a little bit of my cherry juice left over, so I added it to my almond milk and Vanilla Bean ...

WhatsBeautiful to you?  I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately. Yes - strength , determination and setting goals are all part of it.  But what it really comes down to is - Inspiring and Involving my kids in fitness . I wouldn't be who am I today if it weren't for my children.  I want to be a better, healthier person for them.  They are what makes me beautiful. Disclaimer: I’m part of the Under Armour campaign through Fitfluential.

This post is sponsored by Under Armour through FitFluential How do you define beauty?   When I was a little girl, I used to think beauty was princess dresses, high heels, curls, and make up.  But now, I think of beauty as determination and pushing through to the next level.   I remember when I thought a 5k was a long distance and 10k's scared me.  Then I tried out my first half marathon, and now I'll be running my 3rd marathon on Sunday.  To me, pushing past those limits, is simply beautiful.  It's what I want my kids to see.  I want them to see me as a mom who loves them and enjoys spending time with them, and one who is also going to strive for her own goals and continue to push past my own comfort levels.   I want them to push past their comfort levels as well. Even in my professional life as a teacher - I WILL is an everyday slogan I use.   one of my classroom bulletin boards I'm honored to join Un...

Brian @ Pavement Runner called upon runners worldwide to come together 1 week after the horrific events that took place at the Boston Marathon. I had been wanting to do something, anything for Boston.  When I saw Brian's post, I knew that organizing #BostonStrongGardiner was exactly what I needed to do.   photo courtesy of Harold Shaw When Monday night came, I didn't know what to expect.  I was completely overwhelmed by the turnout.  We had over 70 people come out to show their support.  My family, the Rail Trail Girls came out with their families to run and Harold from Veteran Runnah .  I even had friends drive over an hour with their families to come and run.  It was an amazing turnout. photo courtesy of Ward and Wade Boudreau One of the runners who came out Monday night is a local sports columnist, Scott Martin.  I've been following him on twitter and I'm "friends" with him on DailyMile, but Monday night was the first...

13 more weeks until Sugarloaf!  At times I feel like "bring it!" and other moments I'm thinking "oh crap, why am I doing another marathon?" So how is training going?  Well, I'm only 3 weeks into my Hanson plan and I'm feeling pretty good.  I was a bit nervous that I wasn't going to be able to handle this intense plan, but somehow I'm doing it (so far!).   This week has been a weird weather week - but then again, it's winter, in Maine, so all weeks are weird.  Last weekend we had more than 2 feet dumped on us, then we had a few days of 40F+ days, and then more snow yesterday and today.  I did get outside three times this week for some great running with Pepper and in my new Saucony Virratas.   Review coming soon - but I can tell you after 4 runs in them, they are feeling awesome! 6 miles on a glorious sunny, spring-like day in my new Virratas What was I nervous about with Hanson plan?  1.  Running 6 days a week.  I know, a lo...

I'm not a milk drinker at all.  I've never been one. Nearly 3 years ago, Izzy was diagnosed as lactose intolerant and I made the switch to Silk.  I didn't even know it existed until then and now I'm never going back to regular milk.  Now, I'm not saying there isn't regular (cow) milk in the house - there is.  I just don't drink it and neither does Izzy. We prefer Silk.    I like that Silk comes sweetened and unsweetened.  I also like how versatile it is.  I use it with my granola, in my coffee, and add it to recipes.   Silk has a variety of delicious recipes you can find on their facebook page.   One breakfast favorite in our house is pancakes.  They are incredibly easy to make and it's easy to change up the ingredients if you are low on something or want to use something up.  Pancakes are a big hit with the family as well.  They want to eat them morning, noon, and night, so I can never go wrong with...

I am loving Tina Reale's Best Body Bootcamp .  The first two weeks have flown by and I'm definitely feeling stronger.   Here's my week recap:   Monday: 5 miles - treadmill Tuesday: Workout A + Circuit Interval  Wednesday: 7 miles - progression run, treadmill Thursday: 8 miles, treadmill + Workout A + Interval Workout B Friday : Workout C + Circuit Interval Saturday :   4.5 miles, treadmill Sunday : 12.3 miles, outside Total Mileage - 37 miles (for #TeamEscapades #ChillyChallenge) I'm finding lately I am heading for the treadmill for running.  I'm not about to run outside in the dark.  No way.  I'm a chicken.  And when it comes down to it, it's incredibly convenient for me to walk down 4 days at school and hop onto a treadmill at school.  On a good day, I can crank out 7 miles before having to head home to be there for the boys to get off the bus.  Yes, I'm missing my outside running, but I'm r...

Just after Christmas, I received a box of packed full of goodies from FRS .   Of course, whenever I receive goodies in the mail, I usually have to fend off the kids and husband.  But this time, I had a hard time keeping them away.   And you can see why!  Check out the selection they sent me!  Energy, Protein, and Healthy Slim.  So many choices.  I didn't know where to begin.   FRS Protein I decided that my first taste of FRS was going to be the Blackberry Acai Healthy Protein drink.  I had just come back from a 10 mile run and was quite excited to try it out.   I really enjoyed this one.  The flavor was rich and it had a thicker consistency.  The only downside is that I had to share with Izzy.  I guess it's really not a downside.  She loved it and so did I.   I was a nice wife and let Ward take the Orange Cream Protein drink with him to work, just as long as he reported back to ...