What is better than getting free groceries?  How would you like free healthy groceries?

The people at deiworldwide contacted me about trying out the new Simple Nutrition program at Randalls. They have also provided me a gift card to giveaway so that one of my readers can also try the Simple Nutrition program.

What is Simple Nutrition?

• Program Overview
• Program Criteria
• Program Tags

The Giveaway

$25 Giftcard for any Safeway company stores

As you can see the card has the following store icons (Safeway Company stores:  Safeway, Vons, Dominicks, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Pavillions, Carrs Safeway.)

How to Enter:

Leave a separate comment for each entry

• Tell me your staple grocery items. [I buy apples, bananas, and mushrooms every single week.]

• Tell me how you shop: list, meal plans, recipes, on the spur?  I generally don’t write down the normal stuff we buy all the time but I make a list if we need special ingredients.

• Tweet about this giveaway:  I want to win free groceries from Cardio Foodie @KarissaReneeD

• Post a link to the giveaway on your blog.

**I will announce a winner this Friday March 18th**

Guess what?  I wore a tank top and shorts to walk the dog this morning!  Spring has sprung!  Unfortunately that means it could be 100 degrees next week…but hey, you got to take the bad with the good!

I did a quick walk on the treadmill this morning (slow, nothing fancy) and then did some upper body weights.  I took off yesterday (minus the yoga) and will have a complete rest day tomorrow so I needed to burn of some steam or I would be as antsy as kindergarten the entire car ride to Austin.

iTunes Winner

First, I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who entered, left me song suggestions, or even emailed me their playlist.  I can’t even begin to explain how wonderful it is to have help and encouragement going into this race (because I am scared and worried and all that jazz).

According to the Almighty Random.org the winner is:

True Random Number Generator: Result:5

RunToTheFinish says:

February 12, 2011 at 12:00 pm (Edit)

i follow you on twitter of course!

And of course here are Amanda’s song suggestions (which I have already added to my playlist):

“hmm right now I would agree Fireworks by Katy Perry and F*** Perfect by Pink get me going”

Please send me your mailing information to cardiofoodie@gmail.com

Make sure to head over and check out her blog, Run To The Finish.  It is probably one of the best configured, put-together blogs out there!

This girl needs to get packing!  Does anyone else end up in charge of packing everyone’s stuff for trips????? I am packing my own bag, the food, the cooler, the dog’s bag, my husband’s bag, and organizing the car.  [Come to think of it…if I didn’t pack all this stuff myself I would just end up redoing it the way I want it!]

Well as you might know I am doing this little thing called the Austin Marathon next weekend.

Since I approximate myself to be running a little over 4 1/2 hours (yes, I am that slow) I am looking to pump up my playlist!

Pump up My Playlist iTunes Gift Card Giveaway

Ignore the weird sample card

I will be giving away a $15 iTunes gift card to a randomly chosen winner!

To enter, :

1. Leave me a comment with your favorite running song or favorite playlist song/s.

2. Mention this giveaway on your blog and leave me a comment telling me that you did. Cardio Foodie’s Pumped Up Playlist iTunes Giveaway

3.  Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment telling me you did.

4. Tweet and leave me a comment: I want to win @KarissaReneeD iTunes gift card at www.cardiofoodie.com/2011/02/11/tunes-giveaway/

I will choose a winner next Friday February 18th!

Last night I spotted the sneak preview of Sweet Lola’s new Red Velvet flavor on Facebook and went straight to the shop after a power-hour of Corporations .  Who needs dinner first? Of course the froyo is great at Lola, but their toppings are to die for!  I had half red velvet, half vanilla, and a whole lot of Brown Betty crumble!

In case I hadn’t mentioned, this fro yo place is also the cutest, most quaint store on the planet!  Those in Houston must stop by!

After my gigantic bowl of fro-yo I ended up eating a taco salad at like 9pm.  Let me preface my next statement by saying that I never consider eating a bad thing or think I did something wrong by eating.  [I do realize that there may be some recovering from eating disorders who may read this blog and I want to be sensitive to your situation].  That being said, at the end of the night I was not thrilled with my eating choices.  Here’s why:

• Eating late at night/before bed always upsets my stomach
• I am really trying to listen to my body and I know my body wasn’t really hungry
• Marathon training has made me much more conscious about how food affects my body and level of performance
• Bottom line is that I need to stop eating just because it is a “meal time”.  If my body needs fuel eat, if not don’t.

On another note, I did make myself a wonderful packed lunch yesterday.

My lunches for the last two weeks have been a peanut butter sandwich, granola bar, and fruit.  Not that I don’t love PB (because I do!) but it was time to switch it up!  I looked in the fridge and found the leftovers from my taco salad on Tuesday night.

WW bagel-thin, guac, lettuce, mushroom, and turkey.  Delicious!  I have really been craving meat lately so this turkey sandwich really hit the spot!

Back to today: I had a simple bagel thin with peanut butter and cinnamon for breakfast.  A tasty homemade iced latte was also enjoyed.  I am about to hit up the gym to get in some incline running and my first strength workout of the week!  I need to incorporate more strength training but I always manage to let it slide.

You all have been so awesome with the mascara tips and finds!  I am actually excited to run out of mascara so I can try my new recommendations!  You have until Friday to enter the mascara giveaway!

I already know what you are thinking just from reading the title of this post….

Why are you giving makeup advice when we know you look like this all the time???

Good question!!!!  I have no good answer.  But, about once a month (or so) I clean myself up and put on makeup.  I don’t do my hair…lets not get carried away here! Anyway, I have a very basic make up routine that works for me for just about any event.

A Busy, Law Student, Endurance Runner, Twenty-Something’s Makeup Routine

• Moisturize!!!!!  I use simple, good ol’ Daily Olay Moisturizer with a Spf 15. (I usually just buy the store brand to save a couple bucks)

• Foundation. I actually didn’t start using foundation until about two years ago.  I used to tan a lot (I know the health concerns) and my complexion was great, now that I have stopped all the imperfections are visible.  I do realize that tanning might have caused some of these but it is more likely the massive stress breakouts I get from law school.  Anyway, I now use Maybelline Mineral Powder in Pure Beige. I chose this particular foundation because I can’t stand how cakey liquids can be and because this color matches my skin tone perfectly!

• I always use bronzer! Even if I don’t wear foundation or eyeshadow I put a little bronzer on.  My favorite is Physicians Formula:  Solar (SPF 20) Face Powder. It is not too dramatic, it has SPF, and the container is easy to carry if needed.

• Mascara! Mascara can make even a law student on the day of their last final look better.  I use an eyelash curler than apply 1-2 coats of mascara to make my blue eyes pop or at least not look sleep deprived.

I have yet to find THE MASCARA! You know the one you rave to all your friends about when they are getting ready for a special occasion.  The one you make an emergency shopping trip on the slight chance you might run out.

Here are some of the other mascaras I have tried:

Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion. Okay, not spectacular.  Didn’t give me as much volume as original Lash Blast.

CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Blasting. I used this mascara for quite some time, even at my wedding!  I have pretty long eyelashes already so I really like the volume formulas that pump them up.

CoverGirl Lash Exact. This is definitely not a volume mascara but it does do what it claims.  No clumps!  It creates simple, defined lashes.  Great for everyday, not exactly the wow factor.

**I must be easily persuaded by those CoverGirl commercials because it appears they get my money!

I recently bought two new mascaras to try and both of them came in a double pack meaning that I have two mascaras to giveaway!

• Loreal Paris Voluminous Original: This mascara does give me volume, a lot in fact, but it does seem a bit gloppy to me.

• Maybelline:  Great Lash BIG: I bought this stuff because I love the original Great Lash mascara!  The original is perfect for everyday with no clumping whatsoever.  Since I want to pump up my lashes for special things I thought I would give this one a try.  It is a great mascara, no clumps, but it didn’t give me the volume results I wanted.

Mascara Giveaway

To win both of the mascaras above please leave me a comment telling me your favorite mascara!

Winner will be announced Friday January 28th.

[Source]

Who doesn’t love fries?  Wendy’s is introducing their new natural cut fries and as a Foodbuzz Publisher I was sent some Wendy’s gift cards so I could participate in the blogger tasting.

Since I am all about sharing the free food tasting fun, I am giving away a $10 Wendy’s Giftcard. Make sure and try the new fries with your giftcard! The arranged Foodbuzz metro tastings are scheduled as below if you want to participate:

Friday, December 3rd, 2-6PM (unless you live in Houston and I can hand you the card, I will have to mail it to you on this date)

Friday, December 10th, 2-6PM

To enter for the $10 Wendy’s gift card leave a comment telling me what you dip your fries in. I love dipping my fries in ranch!

Winner will be announced tomorrow Friday December 3rd!

**If any other Houstonians are participating tomorrow in town, e-mail at cardiofoodie@gmail.com and we can plan a meetup**

I cannot believe it is already June!  This year is flying by me!  As with all new months I like to set up a month challenge that includes reasonable, attainable goals.  First, it is time to see how I did on my May Challenge :

• Stop eating crap that is bad for my body. I give myself a C on this challenge.  I incorporated way more fresh fruits but didn’t take out any crap.  Salty snacks hold me back.
• Shape-up, tone-up. I added both interval and strength training.  I am following the Insanity workout (although I usually take an extra day off so I can bike) and have made sure to add in at least two days of weight work a week.  No six pack abs yet…probably due to mediocre performance above.
• Read a book for fun. Done.  Call me a tween but I ended up reading Eclipse from the Twilight saga.  It was an easy read so I could do it in a day.  It was actually pretty good, but [Skip ahead if you haven't read book] she ends up picking Edward and I am on Team Jacob (who wouldn’t be?).  Anyway I googled to find out what happens in the last book and it seems kind of ridiculous so I am done with the Twilight fad.

Now time for June’s Challenge:

• Get a glimpse of my abs. The only reason I don’t have the abs I want is because I like to eat a lot of crap.  I pretty much always have my hand in a cracker box  and dessert is usually the rule rather than the exception.  I have heard it a million times and read it again in the Eat Clean Diet book someone gave me:  how you look is 80% nutrition.  Since I got a C on May’s goal (and a C is never acceptable for this girl’s Type A personality) I am going to set this goal again.  Stop eating the crap.  See the abs I work for.
• Cook a meal. Although there is nothing wrong with throwing whatever you have got onto a salad or in a wrap, I need to stop being lazy and cook up some new stuff.  I am sure the hubby would be happy to enjoy the results.  I am going to go through the cookbooks and try to cook up something once a week.
• Tackle my research early. I signed up for my writing requirement course this summer and my paper is due July 13th.  I am the worst at procrastinating on papers!  Ideally I will tackle research/planning first two weeks of June, last two weeks I will write, and July will be editing.  Here is to hoping!

Alright, give it to me:  What are your goals for June?

If you missed it, check out Summer Kickoff Giveaway!  You can have up to 3 entries!

Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff to summer.  If you are like me you enjoyed lots of sun, even more food, and good times this weekend.  Hopefully we all get to enjoy these fun times all summer long.

After catching some rays I met a group of friends for a late lunch at Barnabys. I enjoyed the grilled tuna sandwich and got the fabulous cupcake-vanilla bean to go.

Bad picture, great cupcake

Now time for the Summer Kickoff Giveaway:

This giveaway features some of my favorite things and a couple treats.

Giveaway includes:

1 Large pink Blender bottle (You must use these for protein and smoothies)

1 spoonula [part spatula, part spoon- ideal oats tool]

1 packet almond butter [because everyone should have one of these on hand]

2-150 calorie pack Pretzel M&Ms [the best treat on earth]

3 Cliff Kids Z Bars [our house's granola bar of choice]

You do not need to be a blogger to enter, just leave your name and email address.  Leave a new comment for each entry. To enter please do any of the following:

1. Leave a comment telling me one of your foodie favorite things.

2.   Link to this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment letting me know you did.

3.   Become a fan of Cardio Foodie on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know you did.

Happy Summer!  A giveaway winner will be announced on Tuesday June 8 (weird time block because my wedding anniversary is on the 7th!)

Started this morning off about 5 am.  My hubby was actually up before me because he had to go to work super early.  I evilly chuckled because he usually sleeps in about an hour and half more than me.  I went straight to the gym only to find my favorite treadmill (with built in TV) occupied again for the second day!  Again another totally random person that I have never seen in the gym before.

Seriously cramping my style!  I don’t know why it makes me so angry. I am at the gym every single day at 5:15 on that same treadmill, so when some random person who I have never seen in the gym before prevents me from getting in my planned workout I get peeved!  Anyway I did a super quick mile before I was bored out of my mind!  I considered that warm up, then came home and did 30 minutes of strength.  I am hoping to get back over there for 3 miles right before my class.

Breakfast was something different today:

My hubby is on a GNC kick because he got some discount thing.  Anyway he picked me some of these meal replacement shakes from their Be Well line.  I figured why not make a smoothie.

I also used my new portable shaker.  I have been in need one of these for a long time!  My smoothie contained:

1 packet Be Well shake

1 small frozen banana

half the shaker full of water

ice

1 tsp flax

Wow!  This thing was like a chocolate milkshake!  I almost felt guilty for eating it for breakfast.  It came out extremely thick and creamy for not adding any milk or yogurt.  I will update the review when I see whether or not it can really hold over my hunger.

Now…time for Winner Wednesday:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6	

Congratulations!

#6 by Gabriela on February 17, 2010 - 12:41 pm

Fyi, Gabriela posted the following as her favorite thing to recycle:
Great giveaway! I recycle by using the cloth grocery bags instead of plastic."
 

**Please send me your shipping information to cardiofoodie@gmail.com**

 

While enjoying the wonderful Chobani yogurt I won in a giveaway last week I decided to spread some love and host my first ever giveaway.  But first, oats in a jar.

I filled up about half of this HUGE peanut butter jar with oatmeal then topped with banana, blueberries, Kashi, and cinnamon.

Also started the morning with a delicious vanilla iced coffee.

Now…the giveaway:

KEEN Harvest Collection Beauty Bag (Makeup Bag)

The Harvest Collection is made from recycled bags:  rice bags, retired haul bags, etc.  Who knew recycling could be so cute?

The flip over top closure has weaved recycled bags with hints of fun colors.

This giveaway will be open until Tuesday February 23rd and a random winner will be announced Wednesday February 24th.

To Enter- 3 Ways:

`1. Leave a comment telling me your favorite thing to recycle or reuse.

2. Link to this giveaway on your blog and leave a separate comment letting me know that you did.

3. Follow CardioFoodie on Google Reader/Following program of your choice or let me know if you are already a follower.