coming clean :: day one hundred twenty one

Workout: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + long stretch + 1.15 miles elliptical)

Still in recovery mode from Sunday! Left hamstring is a bit tight (from before the race), but otherwise, am pain-free!


Coming Clean:

face: Tea Tree and Charcoal Natural Complexion by Country Heart Gifts

body: Vegan Green Apple Candy by Long Winter Farm

I've had this soap for a while, maybe even from before the 'Coming Clean' installments began? Which might explain why it's never been reviewed, or that it's no longer available for purchase. Isn't it a beautiful bar of soap? As always, Long Winter Farm leaves me laughing -- "This soap smells just like green apple Jolly Ranchers to me! I doesn't taste like them though, I tried..."


Naughty Points: from The Dairy Godmother... 2 marshmallows + 1 scoop of lilikoi sorbet = 3

You didn't believe I was gonna walk out of there yesterday without a doggie bag, did you?!!

coming clean :: day one hundred twenty

Workout: I just ran 10 miles yesterday. I deserve at least one day off! :: wink ::


Naughty Points: from The Dairy Godmother... 1 blueberry cobbler with coconut creme frozen custard + 2 gigantic homemade marshmallows = 3

Dessert before dinner, dessert after dinner... I thoroughly enjoyed both! The marshmallows were the size of rice krispie treats. I couldn't decide, so I got both flavors -- vanilla and raspberry. The raspberry one was divine!

if i win the lottery :: marshmallow peeps

fizzybubbles

I think this is how my love of marshmallows began.
I used to devour these things by the 12 pack!

Every Easter,
the Washington Post -- among other newspapers -- holds a
Marshmallow Peeps Diorama Contest!

As with the earlier "If I Win the Lottery" installments on
fruitcake, bacon & eggs, under the sea,
whether they be chicks or rabbits,
none of these Marshmallow Peeps are the real thing!


magicbeanbuyer



babypop



ThePaperElement



chiwaluv



BarnStarBazaar



mountainmadness75



JackandJillCreations

coming clean :: day one hundred thirteen

Workout: lunch @ gym (0.5 miles jog + l-o-n-g-s-t-r-e-t-c-h + 110 crunches)

Let the tapering officially begin! I'm not changing my swimming schedule, though. I hope Hal Higdon is okay with that!


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

body: Sea Glass by Lily Pond Soaps

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 57 and Day 44, respectively.


Naughty Points: 6 Baby Cakes sugar-free orange vanilla marshmallows

I'm a-d-d-i-c-t-e-d to these things! That was the last of 'em... for now :: wink ::

coming clean :: day one hundred nine

Workout: lunch @ gym (2.5 miles jog + stretch)


Coming Clean:
face: Pink Kaolin Clay by Country Heart Gifts
body: Rhubarb Al Fresco by Rachel Rene Bath & Body

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 1 and Day 4, respectively.


Naughty Points: 6 BabyCakes Online Bakery sugar-free orange vanilla marshmallows

BabyCakes can tint them lavender, pink, green or yellow for Easter. Mine arrived lavender!

coming clean :: day one hundred five

Workouts: afternoon @ outdoor jog (5.73 miles) + evening @ pool (3,450 SCM)

Perfect weather for my first jog in a week! I felt great (probably because my body was in 'induced taper' mode) and my shins weren't bothering me, but I held back on pace and distance. I think I'm ready to start running again!

I had about an hour of down-time between my run and swim practice and *barely* made it through the workout. :: phew ::


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by
Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: Vegan 'The Garden' by Kelle's Kitchen

From the moment I got my soaps in the mail, I knew we were off to a good start. There were cute little shamrocks drawn on the fragrant parcel, and my order came was a lovely, hand-written note. The soap itself -- in its beautiful packaging -- smells wonderful. It is definitely a blend of sweet and fruity!

What drew me to Kelle's Kitchen is the obvious love she has for her soap-making business. Each soap in her shop comes with a little story:

"The Story of The Garden: When brainstorming soap ideas I wanted to create something for my dad, and the first thing that came to mind was his awesome vegetable garden in our backyard. He grew a little bit of everything from corn and rhubarb to tomatoes and pumpkins. Enough to keep our family full of vegetables through the summer and fall! This bar is made in honor of that wonderful garden, which is still producing wonderful vegetables to this day :)"


Naughty Points: 1 The Dairy Godmother lemon marshmallow

It was the size of a bar of soap, but hey, it was *just* one! :: snicker ::

coming clean :: day ninety-one

Workout: evening @ pool (3,400 SCM)

I was on fire! Missed part of warm-up because I had to run a quick errand @ REI. Didn't realize until afterwards that those PowerBar gummy thingys I chomped on whilst driving to the pool might've been the reason why I ended up leading the lane :P


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

body: Vegan Mineral Salt Spa by FlameWorks

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 57 and Day 18, respectively.


Naughty Points: eer... um...

Let's just say that I finished up the rest of the honey lavender cookies and cardamon marshmallows... Then, decided that wasn't enough, and had a scoop of Strawberry Balsamico sorbet! :: guilty ::

coming clean :: day eighty-nine

Workouts: lunch @ outdoor jog (1.25 miles) + evening @ pool (2,825 SCY)

This is the pathetic result of my attempt to run outside during my lunch break for the first time ever. I had to go back to work TWICE because I kept forgetting things! I'll be better-prepared next week.

Sprint workout -- woot! I swam with a watch again, but it was soooo distracting. How do y'all do it? I might invest in an underwater slate so I can at least remember my splits.


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by A Breath of French Air

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by Gudonya Soap and Spa

body: "Ugly Duckling" by Anita's Sweet Treat Your Body

These soaps and hair products were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 7, Day 15 and Day 60, respectively.


Naughty Points: six

It was a little warm for chai, but someone had to eat those cardamon marshmallows!

coming clean :: day eighty-seven

Workouts: lunch @ gym (2.25 miles jog + stretch) + evening @ gym (2.25 miles jog + stretch + 1000m erg + 0.25 miles walk)

Since I haven't been jumping off at 0.5 miles to stretch, I've cut my warm-up from 0.5 to 0.25 miles. After that, I gradually pick up the pace based on how I'm feeling that day.

Any rowers out there? As infrequent as it may be, I'd love to follow some sort of rowing workout!


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' by Bunny Butt Apothecary

body: Sparkling Berry by Alchemic Muse

I love Alchemic Muse's modernly simplistic packaging for their beautiful soaps, as well as their enticing item descriptions:

"Submerge yourself in berry bliss! An enticing mix of succulent berries and creamy and rich vanilla combined with sparkling ruby red grapefruit. Rich in vitamin C, strawberries contain skin soothing properties and is a wonderful toner to reduce the appearance of large pores. Yogurt soothes, softens and rejuvenates the skin while providing this soap with a luxurious, creamy lather. We added a touch of red clay for color."

Later this month, Alchemic Muse is introducing a bunch of new soaps -- Banana Orchid, Mango Grove, Honey Balsam, Kama Sutra, Primeval, Berry Cream!


Naughty Points: 1 Baby Cakes "Orange You Sweet" truffle
+ 3 Whimsy & Spice cardamon marshmallows

I had an amazing workout the last time I had one of these truffles. I seem to have unintentionally forgotten to record it on Coming Clean - Day 64... :: oops ::

I tucked the marshmallows away for an especially cold day so I could enjoy them with some homemade Nepali chia*. Today was the day! I went easy on the cardamon and let the marshmallows do their thang. :: dreamy ::

* No, that isn't a typo. It's chia, not chai. Seriously, though, if you're gonna splurge and treat yourself to some homemade marshmallows, treat yourself to some homemade chai. It's worth the effort!

coming clean :: day eighty-two

Source

Workout: lunch @ gym (stretch + 3.6 miles bike)

Supposed to be a rest day, but I really needed to stretch! I must've strained something in my lower back last night (falling asleep on the couch, perhaps?). It hurts like a mofo!


Naughty Points: 3 Cupcakes in Jars vanilla cinnamon sugar marshmallows

coming clean :: day sixty-six

Workout: lunch @ gym (0.5 mile jog + stretch + weights + core)

Hal Higdon told me to stretch and strengthen today. I did as I was told, but was dragging towards the end. I don't think I'll be making it back to the pool tonight.


Coming Clean:

face: Luxurious Clean Cotton-Scented Charcoal Facial by aBreathofFrenchAir

body: Guilt Free Strawberry Cheesecake by My Birch

These soaps were first reviewed on Coming Clean - Day 7 and Day 15, respectively.


Naughty Points: even more Babycakes homemade vanilla orange marshmallows

coming clean :: day sixty-five

Workout: evening @ pool (3,800 SCY)

I ran into an old teammate at the pool. This guy is a distance swimmer through-and-through, and when you swim with him, you will never miss an interval. I told him I was gonna have an easy night, but somehow got talked into doing an entire workout with him!


Coming Clean:

face: Carrot Facial by Body Language Soaps

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Citrus and Coriander Whipped Parfait Foaming Scrub by Sweet and Tranquil

Last night was a "veggie kind of night". Tonight was a "citrus kind of night"!

Sweet and Tranquil suggests "[j]ust a little bit of Whipped Parfait is all you need for lot of creamy bubbles." I used less than a marble-sized amount, and it bubbled up as soon as I started working it into my scrubbie. So much so that I didn't have to re-lather! The crushed apricot shells work as a gentle exfoliant, but the scrub leaves your body smooth and completely moisturized. This stuff is n-i-c-e! I felt citrusized as I emerged from the shower!


Naughty Points: an unmentionable amount of Babycakes handmade vanilla orange marshmallows

These things are too good to give up!

coming clean :: day fifty-three :: one & two

Workouts:
intended: lunch @ gym (2 miles) and evening @ gym (weights)
actual: lunch @ gym (2 miles) and evening @ being lazy

Hal Higdon told me to run 2 miles + strengthen today, so that's what I did. I usually have enough time to squeeze in a quick light-weights circuit (these swimming shoulders of mine don't need to get any bigger!), but I had to get back to work.

When I got home, I changed into my workout clothes right away. I was on-schedule until I sat down and turned on the computer. It took a loooong time to peel myself away, and when I did, I went straight to the living room couch instead of the gym. :: oops ::


Coming Clean:
face: AHA Facial Cleansing Cream - butterbyessentials
body: Rainbow Brite by Sunbasilgarden Soaps


Naughty Points: too many Babycakes handmade marshmallows

I am ashamed! :: bright red with embarrassment ::

coming clean :: day fifty-two

Workout:
intended: morning @ plyo
actual: morning @ under warm covers

I didn't want to get caught in "I can't handle driving in this 'inclement weather'" traffic coming home from plyo and be late for work, so I stayed up to watch two episodes of 'Six Feet Under' and slept in. The rest of the day was a sleep-deprived bust. My legs were still feeling tight from Monday, so I didn't workout during lunch. Okay, the truth? I went on a casserole hunt. By the time I got home, all I could think about was... PASTITSIO!

Now I'll have to make up the 30 mins of cross-training that Hal Higdon told me to do today.

Source

Yes, that's right; I gave myself gold stars for workouts done on-time and as told. I am eight! :: wink ::

Naughty Points: 8 Babycakes homemade marshmallows

Get your own sweet treats while Babycakes has their 20% off sale!

coming clean :: day fifty

Workout: evening @ gym (7.45 miles bike, 1000m erg, stretch & light weights)

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler training kicks off today! I'm using Hal Higdon's 15k Training Guide for Novice Runners as a rough guide. Hal Higdon told me to 'stretch & strengthen' today, so I added that to my workout.

Coming Clean:

face: AHA Facial Cleansing Cream - butterbyessentials

hair: Vegan Original Citrus Blast Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Crisp Ginger Pear - mybirch

I'm a huge fan of mybirch's soaps. They all smell sooo good! This bar is no exception. :: dreamy :: This particular scent is also offered as a butter bar sans poppy seeds!


Naughty Points: 3 handmade marshmallows

I was so impressed with BabyCakes' sugar-free vanilla orange marshmallows that I had to order more! I also ordered a regular batch -- for comparison purposes only -- and think I'll have to have a few more to see which one I prefer. :: wink ::

As I've mentioned before, the sugar-free marshmallows were a custom order, but she regularly offers vanilla, chocolate, peppermint, cinnamon sugar and chocolate orange marshmallows.

coming clean :: day thirty

Workout: evening @ pool (2,500 SCY)

After having another sinful dinner of cupcakes and marshmallows, I was planning on completing the evening by calling it a Netflix nite-in. Sadly, I lost the 90 minute battle with Coach Sujekebe* (AKA my guilty conscience) and braved the cold, pouring rain for a last-minute swim. The pool was closing, so I cranked out as much yardage as I could in 40 mins. I'm not a distance swimmer, so the main set (4 x 500s) was tough... especially with all of those 'naughty points' in my tummy. I swam the last 500 with right toe and foot cramps. :: owwie ::

* First two letters of all of the swim coaches I had growing up. They still haunt me after all of these years!


Coming Clean:

face: Vegan 'Complexion Zen' Soap by Bunny Butt Apothecary

hair: Wild Strawberry Fields Salty Dawg Creme Shampoo & Intense Hair Conditioner by GudonyaToo

body: Vegan Raspberry Exfoliating with Raspberry Seeds by The Soap Buffet

Naughty Points:

1 cupcake + 3 marshmallows = 4

Red Velvet is one of my fav cupcake flavors, so I saved this one for last. Supposedly, each BabyCakes cupcake has "[e]nough for 2 servings if you can stop yourself". The plan was to eat half, then eat the rest after working out, but alas... I am a glutton and proud of it! :: smirk ::

For those of you who don't an Etsy account, BabyCakes has a new online bakery!

coming clean :: day twenty-nine

Workout: evening @ gym (10 miles bike)

I aggravated my shin splints by swimming last night, so had to lay off running for yet another day.

Coming Clean:

face: 'Complexion Zen' by Bunny Butt Apothecary

body: Vegan Fig and Currant by longwinterfarm

I'm looking forward to longwinterfarm's return to Etsy next month!


Naughty Points: 1 cupcake + 8 marshmallows = 9 :: gasp ::

Obvious Disclaimer: Three-course dinners consisting of homemade cupcakes + marshmallows are not recommended before (or after) going to the gym.

The strawberry cupcake was nothing less than sinfully sweet, but the highlight of tonight's 'Naughty Points' was definitely the sugar-free vanilla orange marshmallows! They were ah-may-zing! How'd an entire bag vanish into thin air?!! :: poof ::

If you've never treated yourself to homemade marshmallows, you must!

BabyCakes has made custom treats for me and my friends (Yes, I can share!) on many occasions. The sugar-free marshmallows were a custom order, but she regularly offers vanilla, chocolate, peppermint, cinnamon sugar and chocolate orange marshmallows.