Food & fitness obsessed girl.
I’ve paired up with the awesome people over at the Novo Nordisk New Jersey Marathon to giveaway one free bib entry for either their half or full marathon race this April 26th. It’s a great flat, fast race that ends right along the beautiful Jersey shore. What more can you want after this brutal winter we’ve experienced?
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— Knead to Cook
As the temperatures start creeping up and the humidity rises, my consumption of water goes through the roof. Especially if you workout or work period outside – you need to be hydrating throughout the day. Water makes up approximately 70% of your body! Think about that… as most of us probably don’t drink water I wanted to pose some food for thought. Drinking more water will:
Flushes out toxins and waste through urination and sweat.
It improves your complexion – hello radiant glow!
Increases energy! Also helps you focus. Your brain is mostly water… hydrate it for better concentration.
Maintains regularity and prevents constipation.
Water removes by products of fat, reduces hunger (many times you aren’t hungry you are just thirsty) and helps boost metabolism. Always drink a nice big glass of water before you eat.
Naturally helps reduce headaches – as many are caused by dehydration.
Drinking plenty of water helps joints and muscles lubricated for less joint pain or strain.
Most people complain that water is boring but it doesn’t have to be! Adding fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices to water and refrigerating overnight can spark up your bland water making it more tempting to guzzle more throughout the day.
— Knead to Cook
I’ve been resting my legs the past three days post my second race in a week’s time (not a good idea, I admit). I had a massage yesterday and thought I would be good to run today. I just wanted to go out and just run. No speed work. No monitoring my pace… just go. I was tempted not to wear my Garmin but wanted to log my miles for May so I did. Despite feeling really tired my short, sweet run was good. I was happy to get it in and hope to have my running legs back by the weekend. I’m really trying to listen to my body as opposed to a schedule for running. I’m also looking to do a few short 5 and 10ks to work on different muscle groups in the next few weeks.
I also had to retire my beloved Mizuno Wave Rider 16’s. After 400 miles it was time to go. Today I got back to breaking in my Saucony Rides. I won’t lie, it felt good to get into new sneakers. Plus these can be seen for miles warding off any more cars from hitting me.
Okay onto my next fun giveaway.
— Knead to Cook
And the winner is… thelittlestlightbulb (via Instagram)
First things first! How about another fabulous giveaway?! I say that’s the perfect way to kick off a week. Chia is a powerhouse food! If you aren’t consuming it you need to!
— Knead to Cook
The giveaway has concluded. The winner is:
Tracey Boyajian
Please email me at robin@kneadtocook.com within the next 48 hours.
Have you ever heard of Albion Fit? If not, let me share one of my absolute favorite workout/swimwear/all around fabulous apparel with you. I consider myself quite a connoisseur of athletic wear. Most of my life seems to wearing it. I train. I lift. I run. All in workout clothes. Even when I’m not working out… I gravitate towards wearing it. Why? Because it’s so comfortable. My other favorite thing… is not seeing the same pieces everywhere at the gym on every other girl. Their bathing suits are gorgeous, modest and are just overall lovely. Something reminiscent of old Hollywood glam. They even make bathing suits for little girls?! Ohhhhh my goodness they are so darling! Okay so back to the company.
Albion Fit is a local, family owned company. Their name, Albion, hails from the Albion Basin at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in beautiful Utah. They are proof that green living and business can coexist! They recycle plant waste and use earth friendly materials in their products. Their garments are fashionable and unique, but more importantly practical and technical. Designed by women, their apparel is crafted for women wherever they may be in their fitness goals. Clothings that easily transitions from work out gear to lounging gear: whether running an errand or 26.2 miles across a finish line. Styles are fabulous and not seen on everyone at the gym – hello!!! That makes me totally happy! The perfect balance of femininity and function. Seriously, who doesn’t want that?
Okay not only do they have women’s bikinis and one piece suits – check out the most adorable little girl bathing suits to match mom up to size girls 12. Seriously, the adorable factor is off the charts right here!
— Knead to Cook
I’m not a fan of baked oatmeal, I’m not sure why… just never a favorite. I am however a huge fan of oatmeal that’s been cooked, used in overnight oats, baked in in cookies or raw in smoothies- count me in! I wanted to make a muffin that was healthy and perfect for on-the-go breakfast for a busy week ahead. I wanted to appeal to everyone – kids included. One daughter loves dried fruit, the other despises it. Hubby is allergic to chocolate. Okay…. so I made two batches. One without chocolate and one with vegan chocolate chips (mini, so they weren’t loaded but still tempting). It worked! Every morning, I saw one or two of these walking out the door in someone’s hands and I was happy. Whole grains – gluten free makes for a happy mom!
It is National Whole Grain Sampling Day today… so this is the perfect recipe to share. This year I’m a Whole Grain Ambassador. I partnered with this council because whole grains have numerous benefits. Did you know?
Brown rice isn’t the only whole grain rice? It also comes in black (which you’ve seen me cook with), red and purple. What a great way to get your kids interested in eating rice.
3 servings a day of whole grains cuts blood pressure, reducing stroke by 5-20% according to a 2010 study by Scotland doctors.
Sprouting grains increases many of the grains key nutrients including B, C, folate and fiber.
Whole grains are not only fabulous for your health, they provide key nutrients you need to keep moving and stay healthy. They also taste incredible! I have hundreds of whole grain recipes on my site for recipe ideas. Here are just a few for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dinner and snacking.
They Whole Grain Council is also generously sharing (as they did with me) a box of whole grain goodies for one of my KTC friends. Please leave a comment below to be entered or on this post in my Instagram feed. US residents only. A winner will be announced tonight at 8 pm EST. The winner must email me their mailing address within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.
Good luck!
Lark Johnson from Texas was the winner. She entered via Instagram and has already submitted her information. This giveaway is now over.
Disclosure: I received a selection of whole grain products to sample but was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.
— Knead to Cook
Time for the last and final giveaway. Upset that you didn’t win the last two giveaways? Well here is your last chance for the year. Good luck and Merry Christmas!!
Here are the codes:
Check out all the other bloggers who are participating:
Moore or Less Cooking Food Blog
— Knead to Cook
It’s definitely the season of giving! This is the second holiday giveaway Knead to Cook is participating in. So excited to work with these awesome bloggers! This giveaway is for a $600 Visa gift card. I’m sure that will certainly make a dent in your holiday gift giving. The giveaway runs from December 2nd – 15th, 2013 and a winner will be announced on December 16th, 2013.
— Knead to Cook
I have 2 pieces in my kitchen arsenal that I couldn’t live without and my Vitamix is one of them! I jokingly say that the power behind a Vitamix could turn cement into a tasty smoothie (of course I’m joking here and do NOT recommend trying that) but you get the point. It is crazy powerful makes the creamiest soups to smoothies. Chops up the most insane salsa. It’s a timesaver for sure! And if you already are lucky enough to have one… think what an awesome holiday gift this will make for someone special!
Here is the official product description:
The low, wide shape of the Series 300 allows it to blend faster, finer and more efficiently—and fit on under-cabinet counters better – than conventional blenders. It boasts a 64-oz. capacity (nearly double what most blenders allow) and fully variable speed that you control with a smooth turn of the dial.
The official rules:
You must be a US resident.
You must be 18 years or older to enter.
Giveaway dates: November 19th, 2013 – November 26th, 2013
— Knead to Cook
So sorry for the delay but my unplanned hospital stay threw my schedule a bit off. Random.org chose a winner and that person has 48 hours to email me with their shipping address:
AMY RODENBERGER!!!!
You have 48 hours to email me back 🙂
To help me celebrate my 2nd blogiversary, Chobani has offered to send one of my Knead to Cook fans a case of assorted flavors of Greek yogurt! Chobani is not only addictive to eat straight up… it’s fabulous to bake and cook with as well. Need some inspiration? Go to the yogurt category along the right side of my blog. I promise you will be sufficiently inspired. In fact the most searched recipe on my site is this recipe I created to celebrate their birthday last year!
The giveaway is for one case of individual sized, mixed flavored yogurts delivered right to your door.
The rules and what you need to do to get entered…
1. Open to US residents only.
2. Post a comment to this post. You need to post a comment replying to this post sharing what your favorite Chobani flavor is OR what flavor you would like them to consider making in the future.
All entry comments need to be posted by September 8th, 2013 by 11:59 EST. The lucky winner will be announced September 9th, 2013 by 8 pm EST. Once the winner has been announced, they must be in contact with me within 48 hours via email (robin@kneadtocook.com) to provide your US mailing address for Chobani to send your winning shipment out directly to you. If the winner fails to contact me within the specified timeframe, a new winner will be chosen within 48 hours.
— Knead to Cook