Endurasoak {giveaway}

Run Fast. Recover Faster.

As I started to increase my mileage while training for my first (and only) marathon, my body often felt tired and fatigued. I would walk in the door after a 22 mile run, feeling excited {it was the most I had ever run} and exhausted {my body had never worked that hard or long}. It took a lot of trail &a error for me to figure out the right post-run mix for my body.

I’ve always been a believer of epsom salt - and probably take more epsom salt baths than the average person. If you promise to take away may aches, soothe sore muscles, relieve stress and improve oxygen use, I’m going to love you and take advantage of you. {I’m just being honest}

It might be a bit dramatic to say that Endurasoak changed my post-run life, but I’m all for dramatic {and the truth}. After every long run, I would limp walk in my front door, grab a Pelegrino and immediately start an Endurasoak bath. It’s my recovery secret potion - the perfect combination of bath-salt-meets-rosemary-and-peppermint deliciousness. Endurasoak helps my body recover faster and allows me to run sooner.

According to the website, Endurasoak is a mineral bath that promotes post-workout recovery and reduces pain from training related injuries.

• Reduce inflammation
• Combat muscle fatigue
• Relieve pain and muscle cramps

It’s just what my body needs after a long run (or stressful day).
{bye-bye epsom salt, HEELLLOOO Endurasoak}

In honor of fall marathon season, I’m hosting an Endurasoak giveaway. Two readers will win one bag of Endurasoak each.

To enter you must follow of my blog.

To win (please leave a comment for each):

• "Like" {will run for margaritas} on Facebook
• Follow @run4margaritas on Twitter
• “Like” Endurasoak on Facebook, and post: I want to win the Endurasoak Giveaway from www.willrunformargaritas.com
• Post this giveaway on your Facebook page - link to {will run for margaritas} - leave a comment
• Tweet this giveaway on Twitter - I want to win the @endurasoak giveaway from @run4margaritas - leave a comment

The Endurasoak giveaway will run until noon EST on Friday, October 14 at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 2 winners via Random.org and announce the winners with a (new) blog post.

Wasa Crispbread Giveaway {winner}

The winner of the Wasa Crispbread Giveaway is....

Patty T 

I hope you enjoy the Wasa Crispbread as much as I do. Please send your mailing address to: willrunformargaritas@gmail.com

Thanks to everyone who entered. More fun giveaways are coming soon including {more} Brooks gear and Endurasoak mineral bath.

Favorite Snack: Wasa Crispbread {Giveaway}

I’ve been a Wasa Crispbread fan for years, so I was excited to sample three flavors that I had never tried: Fiber, Sesame and Whole Grain. If you aren’t familiar with Wasa, it’s a health food that doesn’t taste like a health food. What I love most about Wasa is the crunchy taste (think pretzel) but without all of the calories (think bagel, english muffin). For breakfast, I eat my Wasa like a bagel - with whipped cream cheese, apple butter or honey. For a snack, I eat my Wasa with hummus, veggies, or cheese. I’ve also been know to substitute or add Wasa to my breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner routine (it’s that good!).To all of my triathletes: I took the Wasa Crispbreads to my group-triathlon house this past weekend and it was a huge hit post-race!

Favorite Recipes

Peanut Butter and Banana on Wasa  
Ingredients 
1 piece Wasa Whole Wheat Crispbread

1 tablespoon peanut butter
1/3 banana, sliced

1 teaspoon dark chocolate, grated
Directions
Spread peanut butter over Wasa Crispbread. Cut the banana in slices and place on the peanut butter. Spread dark chocolate on top.

Margherita Pizza on Wasa
Ingredients 
1 piece Wasa Sourdough Crispbread

2 slices fresh mozzarella

2 slices plum tomato

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1 leaf basil

Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Slice the tomato and the mozzarella and place on Wasa Crispbread. Give 20 seconds in the microwave or a minute under the broiler. Drizzle with oil, salt and pepper, and garnish with basil.

Yogurt and Fresh Berries on Wasa
Ingredients 
1 piece Wasa Hearty Crispbread

2 tablespoons plain yogurt (low fat)

¼ cup mixed berries (e.g., raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, fresh or frozen)
Directions
Spread yogurt on Wasa Crispbread and top with berries.

Giveaway
One winner will receive 3 packages of Wasa - Fiber, Sesame and Whole Wheat (one of each)

To enter you have to follow of my blog (leave a comment).

Extra entries (please leave a comment for each):

• "Like" {will run for margaritas} on Facebook - leave a comment
• Post this giveaway on your Facebook page - link to {will run for margaritas} - leave a comment
• Tweet this giveaway on Twitter - I just entered the @run4margaritas Wasa Crispbread giveaway www.willrunformargaritas.com - leave a comment
• "Like" Wasa on Facebook - leave a comment 

The giveaway will run until noon EST on Friday, September 30, at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 1 winner via Random.org and announce the winner with a (new) blog post.

Disclaimer: I was provided Wasa Crispbreads free of charge.  Opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review. 

Things are about to get {really} personal

T minus 20 hours until I’m on a plane, headed to Seattle. Tomorrow is a really busy day - random airport pick-ups, van decorating, team dinner at nuun headquarters, pictures (and even more pictures) and getting to know 23 awesome women.
{I live for this kind of stuff}

Early Friday morning, we start our 3-hour drive to Oregon (but not before posing for more team pictures).

I’m going to be stuck in a van for 30+ hours with 5 {beautiful, talented & funny} women. Things are about to get really personal in Van #2. I can’t wait to meet Kelly, Carrie, Mel, Megan & Jenn. I’m already thinking about what I’m going to ask:

• Carrie/Kelly - what is your inspiration behind Team Sparkle? What are the challenges of owning your own business? Perks? {My dream is to own my own company}
• Mel - have you ever hated being tall? Tell me about college athletics, I want to compare notes {I was a college athlete, too}
• Jenn - tell me ALL about nuun {I secretly want to work at nuun}
• Megan - tell me about the family you nanny for? I want the good, bad & ugly. {I was a live-in nanny once}

This is just a start....trust, there is more where this came from

If you don't already know about these women, you need to {they pretty much rock}. Meet AfterNUUN Delight's Van #2:

Carrie: www.thismamamakesstuff.com
Kelly: www.according-to-kelly.com
Mel: www.tallmomontherun.com
Megan: www.justrunmego.blogspot.com

Don't forget to enter my nuun-inspired giveaway {HERE}

10, 22, 34

I’m starting to get really excited about Hood to Coast. I’m almost done packing, created 2 informational packets (one for me, one for BJ) containing important stats, including leg order, mileage, start time, proposed finish time, team phone numbers, etc., and have butterflies in my stomach every time I think about HTC. {I even have them right now}

I can’t wait to run 10, 22, 34 - my legs for HTC. I’m really excited to hang with Van #2 (I’m in a van with some pretty amazing women). And thank my lucky stars {and God} that I’m not running in the middle of the night {don’t laugh at me - but I’m really afraid of what can happen in the dark}

I’ve totally got this - and plan on running my heart out for Team AfterNUUN Delight

Leg 10: 5.04 miles, Moderate
Leg 22: 6.81 miles, Hard
Leg 34: 3.52 miles, Easy
Total: 15.37 miles

Start Time: 12:30pm on Friday, August 26

Follow our journey on our Facebook pages {HERE} & {HERE} and on Twitter at @NUUNDelight and @run4margaritas

If you’ve ever run 10, 22, 34 at Hood to Coast - share your thoughts with me. {I want the inside scoop}

In honor of nuun & hood to coast, enter my giveaway {HERE} 

For the love of water & nuun {giveaway}

It’s no surprise that I love water. I’m a self-admitted waterholic, drink way more than 8x8oz of water/day, and think it’s bizarre when people order diet coke instead of water.
{only kidding about that last one}

And if you’ve been within a 1,000-mile radius of my blog since June, it’s also no surprise that I love nuun. I dream about strawberry lemonade, citrus fruit & lemon tea. I blog, tweet & Facebook about nuun, how delicious my favorite flavors of nuun are, and how excited I am about team nuun & running Hood to Coast.
{BJ would say that I am nuun-crazed and I think he might be right....}

Well, it's finally RACE WEEK! So, in honor of Hood to Coast, Team nuun & my undying love for water, I’m hosting a {water & nuun} inspired giveaway.

Each winner (2) will receive:
~18oz. Klean Kanteen water bottle
~2 tubes of nuun

To enter you have to follow of my blog.

To win (please leave a comment for each):

• "Like" {will run for margaritas} on Facebook - leave a comment
• Post this giveaway on your Facebook page - extra points if you link to {will run for margaritas} - leave a comment
• Tweet this giveaway on Twitter - I just entered the @run4margaritas water & nuun inspired giveaway www.willrunformargaritas.com - leave a comment

The giveaway will run until noon EST on Friday, September 2, at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 2 winners via Random.org and announce the winner with a (new) blog post.

If you love nuun & don’t want to wait until September 2nd, use the code: afternuundelight to receive 25% off your online order. Spend $50 and get free shipping, too.

Simple Summer Salad {Green Bean & Celery Salad}

I have a thing for green beans and celery.  I love the crunchiness and ease of eating - you can take them on the go and don't have to worry about making a mess, having sticky fingers, or using a knife. I didn't really think about eating them together, in a salad, but finding this recipe made me think twice.  All things crunchy, in a salad, tossed with a delicious homemade dressing. Don't mind if I do!

Ingredients:
Green Beans
Celery
Shallot
Lemon
Dijon Mustard
EVOO
Salt & Pepper

Directions:
Boil 3/4 pound halved green beans until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes, drain. Meanwhile, chop celery and mince shallot. Combine green beans, celery, and shallots in a bowl; toss with dressing.

Dressing:
Whisk 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, a pinch of salt & pepper and 3 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl. Add 1 minced shallot, 2 tablespoons capers, a handful each of chopped parsleyand celery leaves, and a pinch of pepper.

Enjoy!

Don't forget about my Brooks EZ T Giveaway {HERE} & my Picky Bars Giveaway {HERE}

What is nuun?

In the last month, a few a lot of my posts have been nuun-related.  Not only am I super excited about running Hood to Coast on Team nuun, I'm also in love with the product {strawberry lemonade  lemon tea & citrus fruit to be exact}. But, as I spread the nuun-love, I'm surprised at how many people don't know about nuun.

nuun was featured in an overview of {up and coming products} at the Outdoor Retailer event this past week in Salt Lake (what I would do to get an invite to OR).  Check out this (short) video to learn more about nuun:

Want to try nuun? Use the code afternuundelight at checkout to receive 25% off.  Spend over $50, and get free shipping.

Don't forget to enter my Brooks EZ giveaway {HERE} and my Picky Bars giveaway {HERE}

Picky Bars for Picky Eaters {Giveaway}

I first learned about Picky Bars through Oiselle, a company that I {totally} love. Wanting to know more about this {intriguing} company, I went to their website and soon realized that I would be a Picky Bars lover, too.

I’m a picky eater {my stomach pretty much hates me}. I have to be extra careful about what I eat and drink on race day. One mishap, and I’m throwing up. (need proof? you can read about some of my mishaps here and here)

Picky Bars are gluten and dairy free energy bars created by endurance athletes. When creating, Lauren wanted a 4:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio, slow releasing carbs for level blood sugar, minimal soy content, and healthy fats making up 25% of the calories. Oh, and it needed to taste amazing.

If you think Picky Bars sounds technical, you’re right! Thankfully, owners Lauren & Steph had some free time on their hands...

My husband travels a lot for work and is often caught in between meetings without a snack. Before he left last week, I slipped 2 Picky Bars into his bag with a note that read: “try these, and let me know what you think” (I had already tried "Lauren's Mega Nuts - and loved it)

After eating a Picky bar, BJ left me a voicemail that pretty much sums up everything I wanted to say about Picky Bars:

“ I just had a Picky Bar. You saved the day with that. Let me tell you, it hit the spot. So thankful that you gave it to me. It was DELICIOUS. Just what I needed before I take a run in the park.”

{I couldn’t have said it any better (thanks, BJ)}

Picky Bars is hosting a {my favorite things} giveaway - and you don’t have to be a picky eater to win!

To enter you have to follow of my blog.

To win (please leave a comment for each):

• "Like" {will run for margaritas} on Facebook - leave a comment
• “Like” Picky Bars on Facebook
• Post this giveaway on your Facebook page - link to {will run for margaritas} - leave a comment
• Tweet this giveaway on Twitter - I just entered the @run4margaritas @pickybars giveaway www.willrunformargaritas.com - leave a comment

The Picky Bars giveaway will run until noon EST on Wednesday, August 17 at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 1 winner via Random.org and announce the winner with a (new) blog post.

You still have time to enter the Brooks EZ T giveaway, too {HERE}

Brooks EZ T {Giveaway}

I {pretty much} love everything about Brooks - their shoes, their shorts, their EZ Run T’s.

And, I {love} to RUN.

Brooks + RUN = perfect shirt
{for someone who loves to run}

The EZ T is super soft, semi-fitted and perfect for running, or running to the store. Don't tell anyone, but I have 8 EZ Run T's (different versions/styles, of course) - I think I'm addicted

In honor of my love for running and for my readers, I'm hosting an EZ Run T Giveaway

To enter you have to follow of my blog.

To win (please leave a comment for each):

• "Like" {will run for margaritas} on Facebook (my "fan page") - leave a comment
• Post this giveaway on your Facebook page - extra points if you link to {will run for margaritas} - leave a comment
• Tweet this giveaway on Twitter - I just entered the @run4margaritas Brooks EZ Run T giveaway www.willrunformargaritas.com - leave a comment

The EZ Run Giveaway will run {no pun intended} until noon EST on Friday, August 12 at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 1 winner via Random.org and announce the winner with a (new) blog post

Waterholic: CamelBak Groove {Giveaway}

Waterholic
–noun
a person addicted to water

Some Most would say that I am a waterholic. {I love water, am practically addicted to it} I drink well over the eight-8oz glasses of water per day and BJ might even argue that I drink too much water. I drink {a lot of} water because I actually like water, not because I have to.

My only beef with {tap} water is that it usually tastes funky. So much so that I have to load it up with a lot of ice to mask the taste. I like ice (are you surprised?) but I don’t want to always rely on ice when I drink water.

Most recently, the ice machine at my office broke. Imagine my panic when I had to drink {more than} eight-8oz glasses of tap water/day without ice. I was in full-on hysteria mode.

Enter my new {CamelBak Groove} water bottle.
freshly filtered water. anywhere.

Some of you may recall my pre-existing love for CamelBak, most specifically that BJ hid my engagement ring in a CamelBak on the night/run that we got engaged. If CamelBak is good enough for my engagement ring, it’s good enough for me.

The Groove is a portable filtration device that promotes a healthy and hydrated lifestyle (read: an awesome invention). It filters water as you sip, so you can hydrate on the go. {my kind of water bottle} Plus, hold your breath, tap water finally tastes good!

Like most water bottles, it’s easy to refill and use - but unlike other water bottles, the Groove features a filter built into the straw. The Groove helps eliminate waste from plastic water bottles (think Dasani & Aquafina) because it provides freshly filtered water - anywhere! Water has never tasted better.

Since water is so important {as runners, triathletes, bloggers, foodies we loose a lot of water throughout the day} CamelBak is hosting a {My Favorite Things} Groove Giveaway!

How many disposable bottles could you give up in a year by using one Groove?/
I probably buy/recycle close to 100 plastic water bottles/year (I'm sick just thinking about all of the waste)

To enter you have to follow of my blog.

To win (please leave a comment for each):

• "Like" CamelBak on Facebook - leave a comment
• "Like" {I RUN LIKE A GIRL} on Facebook (my "fan page") - leave a comment
• Post this giveaway on your Facebook page - extra points if you link both {I RUN LIKE A GIRL} and CamelBak to the post - leave a comment
• Tweet this giveaway on Twitter - I just entered the @run4margaritas CamelBak Groove giveaway www.willrunformargaritas.com - leave a comment

{My Favorite Things} Giveaway will run until noon EST on Wednesday, July 27, at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 1 winner via Random.org and announce the winner with a (new) blog post.

{Free} Running Shoes

Who doesn't like free stuff?!

I rarely pass up {free} stuff - especially a FREE pair of running shoes. I have 7 pairs of running shoes in my closet & 2 back-up pairs under my bed and I can still find a need (or reason) for more!

Check out Dorothy's blog for a chance to win a {free} pair of running shoes.  The giveaway can be found {HERE} 

Personal Commentary: If you don't already follow Dorothy's blog, you should. She is one bad@$$ mother - and even better, she's on my nuun Hood to Coast Relay Team! 

{Winner} Oiselle Stripey Tank

I absolutely loved the Oiselle Stripey Tank giveaway - it was the perfect combination of awesome things: a really cool tank top, the first day of summer and one bad@$$ company, Oiselle.

A special thanks to the wonderful women at Oiselle for hosting a {My Favorite Things} giveaway. The Stripey Tank was a huge hit - and I seriously can’t wait for the Fall 2011 line.

Amanda @ There are 2 Sides, your 4th of July weekend just got a little better because you are the winner of the {fabulous} Stripey Tank! Please email your address to: willrunformargaritas@gmail.com

Thanks to all of my new followers & Facebook friends for entering the Oiselle giveaway. If you didn’t win, don't worry, I'm hosting another {My Favorite Things} giveaway in the next 2 weeks.

Happy 4th of July weekend! Fireworks, beer, BBQs & "God Bless the USA" on every radio station (and my wedding anniversary) - I can't think of a better holiday weekend (that falls in the summer)!

The PF Word

I have plantar fasciitus.

There, I said it

I know it could be a lot worse - but I’m really not happy about having it. My foot hurts (really hurts) and I can’t run as often as I would like. I better start liking the pool because it looks like I have a date with freestyle.  

I’m pretty sure I know what triggered my PF. Remember when I was marathon training and thought it would be a good idea to test out my racing flats on a 23 mile run over rocks/gravel?! {Read about it HERE} Yea, that wasn’t smart.  My foot doc thinks the lack of support & cushion, while running over rocks and gravel, provoked it.  I knew it wasn’t a good idea at the time, but now I’m really pissed at myself.  Oh well...

I’ve been icing like crazy, wearing the (totally not sexy) Straussburg sock to bed, rubbing my foot over varied objects including (but not limited to): golf ball, tennis ball, and frozen water bottle, wearing orthotics, running less, and doing ultra-sound on my foot.  (Phew, I’m tired just thinking about PF prevention) 

Not even remotely sexy

Please ignore my "grandma feet" - clearly, I am a runner

Do you have plantar fasciitus, too? What preventative measures are you taking to speed-up recovery? Has anyone tried a cortisone shot? (Note: a cortisone shot is my last resort - but I'd love thoughts/opinions on the matter)

Don't forget about my Oiselle giveaway {HERE} - I pick a winner on Friday!

Simple Summer Salad {Mediterranean Pasta Salad}

This Mediterranean Pasta Salad is the perfect combination of things I love: olives (olives & more olives), feta cheese, pepperoncini peppers, and fresh basil/oregano. Not only is this recipe super easy, it’s super delicious.

Note: BJ does not like olives or feta cheese (not sure how that happened), so I substituted feta cheese with romano cheese & left the olives out. You can play around with the ingredients & add/remove ingredients to your liking.

Enjoy! 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound tricolor pasta, such as bow tie or fusilli
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 to 3 teaspoons dijon mustard
• Sea salt & freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 5-6 pepperoncini peppers, diced
• (As many as you want) black olives, halved
• Chopped fresh oregano & basil
• 1 1/2 ounces feta cheese crumbled

Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until; drain, then rinse with cold water to cool.

Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: Whisk the vinegar, mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in enough of the oil to make a smooth dressing; season with salt and pepper.

Combine the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, onion, pepperoncini, olives and oregano in a bowl. Add the cooked pasta, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Add the vinaigrette and cheese and toss. Chill until ready to serve.

Olive lover's dream: Whole Foods olive bar

Fresh oregano from my "garden" 

And, fresh basil 

My {delicious} version 

BJ's version (no olives or feta)

Serve with breadsticks..

And, wine (in this case, white) 

Don't forget about my Oiselle/Stripey Tank Giveaway {HERE}

Summer Lovin': Oiselle {Giveaway}

Don't judge me, but I posted this to the Missed Connections section on Craigslist:

I saw you on the Oiselle website a few weeks ago. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. You were stripey and soft and dreamy. I want you. Did you notice me? If yes, contact me at willrunformargaritas@gmail.com

Okay, I didn’t really post to missed connections, but I was this close. I mean, how dreamy is the Stripey Tank? The minute I saw it, I knew I had to have it. Think about it, it’s fashion forward in a world of plain olds.

It’s even better in real life. Inspired by asymmetrical stripes (think Diane Von Furstenburg), the Stripey tank can be worn on and off the track, trails, or road. It’s also light-weight, slightly stretchy and wicking. Don’t mind if I do...

Out to dinner with friends, Stripey Tank paired with - jeans: Citizens of Humanity, shoes: Steve Madden, watch: Michael Kors, necklace: Macy's  

Pre-workout, Stripey tank paired with - shorts : Roga by Oiselle, shoes: Brooks, watch: Garmin

So, in honor of my new summer lovin’ (summer officially starts tomorrow) and {My Favorite Things} I’m hosting an Oiselle/Stripey Tank giveaway.

Do you want one?  Oiselle has generously offered the readers of {I RUN LIKE A GIRL} the opportunity to win their very own Stripey Tank! (Cue applause, excitement, and joy)

To enter you have to follow of my blog.

To win (please leave a comment for each):

• "Like" Oiselle on Facebook - leave a comment
• "Like" {I RUN LIKE A GIRL} on Facebook (my "fan page") - leave a comment
• Post this giveaway on your Facebook page - extra points if you link both {I RUN LIKE A GIRL} and Oiselle to the post - leave a comment 
• Follow Oiselle on Twitter: @Oiselle - leave a comment 
• Tweet this giveaway on Twitter - I just entered the @run4margaritas @Oiselle Stripey Tank giveaway www.willrunformargaritas.com - leave a comment

{My Favorite Things} Giveaway will run until noon EST on Friday, July 1, at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 1 winner via Random.org and announce the winner with a (new) blog post.

And since everyone can't win, Oiselle is offering my readers 10% off all product on the website: www.oiselle.com. Use the code RUN4MARGS at checkout. The discount code is good until midnight June 24.

P.S. I got a sneak peek of the Fall 2011 line. If you like what you see now, just wait for Fall. The new line totally rocks!

Sport Science Giveaway {Winners}

My Sport Science giveaway was a HUGE success.

Thank you to my readers, Facebook likes, twitter followers and, of course, Sport Science {for hosting this awesome giveaway}!

I wish everyone could win but since that's not really an option, don't forget about the Sport Science {Discount Code} being offered. Receive 20% off all products on the website through July 1, 2011. Use the code Run4Margs at check-out.

So, without further adieu, the winners of my Sport Science {Giveaway} are:
Stephanie @ Run for Fun
Mackenzie @ Wealth is Health

Please email me your shirt size and address, and Sport Science will mail you a shirt: willrunformargaritas@gmail.com

Thanks again to everyone who entered (and another huge thanks to Sport Science).

If you didn't win, don't worry - I'm hosting another {My Favorite Things} Giveaway on June 20!

World's Most Expensive Triathlon

How much would you pay to do a triathlon?

In June 2010, I paid $300 to race EagleMan 70.3.  EagleMan is part of the Ironman brand - which I think automatically adds a few extra dollars to the entry fee. After the race I paid $200 for an ambulance ride and a hospital visit. Awesome.

Post 70.3 - medical tent (pre-ambulance ride/hospital visit)

How much would you pay to do an Ironman 140.3?

If everything goes as planned, New York’s Inaugural Ironman, on August 11, 2012, will cost $1,000.00 to enter. 

Simple Summer Side {Tomato-Basil Lima Beans}

I love to cook - but in the summer, when it’s 100 degrees, the last thing I want to do is subject myself to a hot stove and even more heat.

That’s why I’ve decided to share my favorite {Simple Summer Sides/Salads} over the next couple of months. These dishes require little-to-no cooking and are simple. First up...

{Tomato-Basil Lima Beans}

What you need:
Garlic
Salt & Pepper
(splash of) EVOO
Frozen lima beans
Basil
Grape (or cherry) tomatoes
Red onion
Shaved parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions: In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add lima beans and cook according to directions (about 12-15 minutes). Meanwhile, halve grape tomatoes, chop red onion, julienne basil and press garlic. Drain lima beans and combine with tomatoes, red onion, basil and garlic. Add salt, pepper (and any other seasoning you like) and a splash of EVOO. Top with shaved parmesan cheese (optional)

Enjoy!

Fresh basil from my garden

Eat Tomato-Basil Lima Beans with crisp white wine and an outdoor patio set 

Don't forget about my Sport Science giveaway {HERE} - you have until Friday (& 2 chances) to win a free shirt

National Running Day & My Favorite Things {Giveaway}

Today is National Running Day. So, in honor of one of my favorite things {running}, I’m giving away one of my favorite running related things {sport science}. But, I’ll get to that in a minute.

{About} National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. Wherever we are and whomever we’re with, we run—fast or slow, alone or with others, all over town or just around the block. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing commitment.

I mean, can you think of anything better than National Running Day - a day devoted just to runners? Personally, I love it {and I’m on cloud 9}. I plan to celebrate National Running Day with BJ - one of my all-time favorite running partners - and an after-work run. (Wish us luck, things are getting toasty in DC).

What are you doing to celebrate National Running Day? Find more information about NRD and local events {HERE}

Now, on to My Favorite Things {Giveaway}

4 years ago I met BJ, my now husband, at a fun-run at a local running store. Running has always been “our thing” - similar to a couple sharing “their song” - our song was running. So, when we got engaged and planned our engagement photo shoot, I knew I needed to incorporate running into the mix. Enter {sport science} and the extremely genius infographics shirt: Virginia is for Runners (a clever take on the state of VA slogan: Virginia is for Lovers - thankfully, BJ and I are lovers, too).

I bought the shirt thinking that I would only wear it once: to take engagement pictures. 2 years later, I’m hooked on sport science.

{About} sport science is a (semi)-local brand with roots in both VA and SC. The owner and founder is a VA resident (and a stellar human-being) - but employees and manufacturing are in SC. The science behind the sport science just makes sense. sport science™ products are engineered to keep you dry and regulate your core body temperature, which keeps you cooler when it’s hot and warmer when it’s cold. The dri-release® fabric rapidly wicks perspiration to keep you dry and comfortable.

I can vouch from experience - the shirts are very comfortable but also totally stylish. I wear my shirts running - but I also wear them with jeans to run errands around the neighborhood. The best part is that I don’t get hot and uncomfortable when I'm wearing the product - my shirts have gone with me to New Zealand, Sun Valley (in the summer & winter), USVI and around DC - no matter what the temperature is, I’m always okay. I can’t say that about many products.

A few of my favorite things - and ones I own (besides Virginia is for Runners):

Giveaway Time!! Sport Science is giving away 2 shirts to 2 lucky readers.
To Enter (please leave separate comments for each entry):

• Follow my blog, I RUN LIKE A GIRL - or let me know that you are already a follower
• Like I RUN LIKE A GIRL on Facebook {here} - worth 2 points
• Like Sport Science on Facebook {here} - what shirt would you get if you won?
• In honor of National Running Day, leave a comment letting me know your favorite distance to race and why.
• Bonus Entry: link this contest on your social platform(s) of choice. Leave a separate comment letting me know you did and include the link - worth 2 points each

“My Favorite Things” giveaway will be open until noon EST, Friday, June 10th, at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 2 winners via Random.org and announce the winners with a (new) blog post.