Monthly Archives: June 2015

GoMacro: Review & Giveaway!!

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I am always on the lookout for healthy snacks & bars to take on the go, and recently I was able to try GoMacro bars!!  GoMacro sent a complimentary box of assorted MacroBar Minis to some of the CROs (Chief Running Officers) of my #RunEatTweetAZ group for us to review! These bars are organic, vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher! They also use mostly raw ingredients!

GoMaco Box Upclose

 

GoMacro Box

Overall there were 24 bars in the box with 11 different flavors including peanut butter, cashew, sunflower butter, and almond butter with carob to name a few!

Flavors of GoMacro

Earlier I mentioned that I am always looking for healthy snacks. Well, with the rate of obesity and diseases going up, it’s becoming more and more important for us to get back to a macrobiotic diet. According to About.com, macrobiotics is a lifestyle and dietary philosophy that promotes health, longevity and healing, through a largely plant-based diet. A macrobiotic diet encourages purchasing organic and minimally treated food to reduce the presence of pesticides, hormones, and other toxins in your food. Purchasing locally sourced is another important aspect to ensure you will be eating foods natural to your environment.

Vibrant Produce

So why do I bring up the subject of macrobiotics? Well, GoMacro is a family-owned company that believes that a macrobiotic lifestyle is critical to a long, healthy life and they are on a mission to promote a healthy sustainable lifestyle. The story of the family members is one of hope and courage. Read about how Amelia went from being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 to becoming a healthy, cancer-free businesswoman, bringing the world wholesome snacks with her daughter Jola!

I was excited to try the bars so I brought some with me to a #RunEatTweetAZ trail run event on June 8!

Kristin with GoMacro bar

Here’s fellow CRO Corine (a.k.a. Zucchini Runner) and I enjoying our bars!

Kristin & Corine GoMacro

My husband Evan enjoys GoMacro bars after a workout too!

Evan enjoying GoMacro

I love that the bars are made with REAL ingredients! Typically if I can’t pronounce a word on the ingredient list, I AVOID the product all together!

Granola & Coconut GoMacro

And you can actually SEE the ingredients in the bar! For instance, I can clearly see the dates, cranberries, raisins, and gluten-free oats in this bar!

Cherries + Berries GoMacro

Even the sesame seeds in the sesame butter bar can be seen! 🙂

Sesame Butter + Dates

Exciting news! GoMacro is hosting a GIVEAWAY! Be sure to visit the #RunEatTweetAZ Facebook page to see how to enter!

GoMacro Giveaway

More exciting news – GoMacro is offering a one-time discount code! Head to the GoMacro shop link and enter code “BLOGGER” at checkout and to get 40% off your first order!

You can also find GoMacro bars at grocery stores near you! Here in Phoenix, they can be found at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and even Safeway! Check the store locater to see what stores they are at near you! You also have the option of purchasing the regular size or mini bars depending on your needs!

Another way to get ahold of the GoMacro bars is to subscribe to their auto-ship program! When you subscribe you’ll get free shipping plus a 5% discount on two or more trays per month. Click this link to learn more!

Be sure to show love to GoMacro by checking out their social media pages!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gomacro/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gomacro
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/gomacro/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gomacro/

Tell me, have you tried GoMacro before? Are you diligent about the ingredients in your food?! Share in the comments section! I would love to hear from you! 🙂

RunSafer with Todd Williams

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AN ASSAULT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TWO MINUTES! (RunSafer.com)

Do I have your attention? GOOD, watch this video and keep reading!

On National Running Day, June 3, 2015, I had the opportunity to take a free workshop at the Runner’s Den store in Phoenix, led by Todd Williams of RunSafer. Todd Williams is a 2-time Olympic Distance Runner and he has earned a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He came to Phoenix for his 228th workshop on safety tips and how to protect yourself in a dangerous situation. He has at least 100 more workshops lined up so please check the website to find your city on his tour! Todd made a point of thanking Asics for believing in him and patterning with him to keep this a successful and FREE program!

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Todd was so energetic during the workshop!!! His passion for safety was radiating from him every minute! Even though this is an extremely serious topic, he was able to connect with the audience and keep it light and entertaining too. During the talk, he coined the term #BePreparedNotScared and I believe it really sums up the importance of the workshop.

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The workshop had a great turnout of about 70 people! I’m glad so many runners out there are taking their safety seriously!

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After an introduction about himself and why he started RunSafer, he demoed moves with a local woman that practices  Jiu Jitsu regularly. He discussed many different scenarios including grip breaking and what to do if you are on the ground. Some of my biggest takeaways were to protect the neck (it could take as little as 7 to 8 seconds for you to become unconscious) and to use the strength of your legs to kick and/or get away from an attacker’s grip.

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He also discussed what happens if an attacker tries to grab you from behind and pick you up. Hooking your legs around the back of theirs was a great tip to help get you out of that situation!

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Again he brought up protecting the neck. Use your fingernails, teeth, and elbows in this situation!

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Another important tip that I hadn’t thought of, was to practice what he calls a non-aggressive stance if you feel threatened. Sometimes showing your fists in a fighting stance can provoke or invite trouble. This non-aggressive stance helps to warn someone that you are protecting your personal space.

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Todd made sure to bring his postcards for every attendee that provide quick tips to remember!

I’ve listed the 5 Techniques and their accompanying YouTube videos.

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1. Grip Breaking

2. Targets

3. Ground Escape & Offensive Tactics

4. Counters to attacks from the back

5. Demonstration of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

 

12 Safety Tips (& a brief explanation/example of each one): image2

  1. Safety Name – Invisible Man (Shout out someone’s name so the attacker thinks you have a loved one nearby to come to your aid!)
  2. Walk With Confidence – Eyes Up/Speak Up (Get off your cell phone and pay attention to your surroundings!!)
  3. Don’t Be Predictable (Change up your routine of where/when you run daily!)
  4. Car Parking & Driving (Pay attention / Keep doors locked!)
  5. Social Media Pros/Cons (Be careful about what you are sharing on Social Media!)
  6. Power in Numbers (Reach out to running friends, your local running store, and your community – i.e. RunEatTweetAZ)
  7. Be Smart Listening To Music (Keep the volume low and/or clip off one ear bud!)
  8. Go With Your Gut (Listen to those butterflies in your tummy! Walk across the street if you have to / Ask someone to walk you to your car)
  9. Use Anything To Save Your Life (Water bottle, keys, mace, rocks, sticks, fingernails, teeth, etc)
  10. Dress Rehearsals – Home, Car, Work, etc (Have plans for what you would do in an emergency)
  11. Targets, Mindset, Practice (Think about the soft targets of an attacker like the eyes, ears, nose, groin, & neck)
  12. Safety Clock – Build Time (Creating a few seconds between you and your attacker can save your life!)

Overall this was a fantastic workshop and worth every minute! It was truly inspirational. It wasn’t meant to make you an expert, but it did force you to think about the “What If” of a dangerous situation. I for one, will be more aware of my surroundings and I am now motivated to practice some of the moves. I may even check out the local Megaton Jiu Jitsu studio Todd referred for a class or two!

Also, this class is not just for the ladies!! I attended the workshop with my friend Corine (aka Zucchini Runner) and we both realized that our husbands really would have benefited from the class too!  The good thing is that we’ll relay the info, have them watch the videos on the RunSafer website, and practice!

So tell me, are you going to practice running safer now?!

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