Nuttzo Winner

With over 50 entries you guys sure wanted some creamy nuttzo! luckily i was able to pick not 1, not 2 but 6 winners! And those are....

1. Janel F
2. Jordan D
3. Christina G
4. Julie S
5. Jen D
6. Jess K

I've emailed you all, so get back to me asap ;)
Dare you to be as cute as this while eating it:

Have an amazing weekend

Not So Nuttzo Giveaway

Does anyone else have an internal monologue/argument when entering the nut butter section? Creamy or Crunchy? Crunchy...... or maybe Creamy? I usually end up with creamy, because if i'm going to grind nuts into nut butter why not go all the way?

When the ladies of NUTTZO let me know that their amazing cashew-brazil nut-almond-peanut-hazelnut-sunflower seed-flax seed-cult butter was now available in a Creamy variety of course I said, yes I would love to try. Creamy doesn't hit the shelf til June, but you'll get a chance to try it before launch below!

In case you didn't know NuttZo was founded by a Californian woman who adopted two boys from Romanian. When they made it home, they were quite malnourished. They loved peanut butter but she wanted to make it more nutritious, so threw in flax seeds and every nut in the house. Her resulting creation was a complete protein, with plenty of Omega-3s. As the business has grown, Danielle has created a non-profit to support orphanages around the country and a portion of all proceeds go to Project Left Behind. Show some love for you, your children and your mom with this organic, delicious nut butter!

This is a jar of peanut butter that is totally acceptable to eat out of the jar with a spoon. That would actually be an amazing gift (come on! i'm not the only person that would be joyful if someone gave me a jar of nutbutter as a present) Maybe even a present for your mother this Sunday?

Of course I'd love to share the love. And guess what-6 of you will win! One jar of Creamy and 5 jars of Crunchy are up for grabs. Who wants them??

• First entry: Leave a comment below on whether you're a creamy or crunchy kind of person
• For a second entry: Tweet: "@ElizabethEats is giving away 6 jars of @EatNuttZo ! Enter here: http://tinyurl.com/bsmhfnb  #nuttzocreamy
• For a third entry follow @EatNuttZo and leave a comment below that you did.
• I'll pick a winner on May 17th, 2013
• Contest open only to US and Canada residents (sorry...)

So what side are you on? Creamy or Crunchy? 

Full disclosure: I was not paid to review this product or host a giveaway. I did recieve the two jars above. I'm obsessed with this product. questions? email away!

Smoothie Bowl and Bestowed Winner

I've found a new breakfast love: The Smoothie Bowl

after a killer stadiums workout with Tara

there's nothing that refreshes and refuels are hardcoreness like a smoothie bowl. It nourishes the muscles, and the eyes. look at that color!

It's super easy to make. Just a smoothie with less water=sorbet texture=perfect for topping with granola. here's my killer summer breakfast:

Summer Smoothie Bowl
-1/2 cup almond milk, water or OJ
-1 cup frozen raspberries and strawberries
-1 scoop Vega Performance Protein Vanilla
-Optional add-ins: 1 tsp matcha (for a caffeine kick) or 1 tsp tart cherry powder

Top with cereal of choice (lately i've been loving KIND hemp granola!)

omnomnom

And now what you've really been waiting for...the winner of my Bestowed giveaway is:
 Lara of the blog Good Cook Doris!
Enjoy! and remember, everyone can use the code: 5OFFBESTOWED01 for 5 dollers off!  http://www.bestowed.com/pages/join2

What breakfasts are you loving right now?

Top 10 Race Day Neccesities

There is nothing I love more than traveling to run somewhere. Not going to lie, many trips are planned around meals and runs. That's how I roll. But in order to stay sane you have to pack your bags well. And double-check them. Because leaving without running shoes is nightmare material.

Since you asked, here are the 10 things I can't leave without when going away for a race weekend

 

1. The entire Vega Sport line-ifell in love with it 4 years ago and never looked back. It's why I now work for Vega and love every second of it. Recovery Accelerator is a game-changer
2. Chlorella-i can pop this micro-algae like candy
3. Oatmeal-for the last carbohydrates before I start a race, about 3 hours before the starting gun goes off.
4. Red Ace Organic Beet Juice- not only is beet juice delicious, but it's loaded with antioxidants and helps your body to produce more nitric oxide--making your blood vessels dilate getting oxygen and nutrients in and waste out even faster. New-to-me drink that i've been loving before workouts.
5. Coconut Water- For long runs I mix Vega Electrolyte Hydrator, dehydrated coconut water and Reboot for electrolytes, mad antioxidants and that taste delicious.
6. Compression socks-For immeaditely after. I dismissed these for a very long time. I'm sorry calves that i never took care of your before!
7. Bahston pride-showed some Boston strong spirit with our bamboo Bahston Runnah tshirts from raw threads.
8. Kiehl's Cross Terrain- UV protection + chafe protection all in one cream. For everything from sky-diving to skiing. and running obviously. (so what if it's in their "mens" collection. I love this stuff and Tara does too)
9. Muscle Massage Bar- to tide me over til i can get home to my beloved foam roller, I use Lush's wiccy magic muscle massage bar. It's amazing. try it out!
10. Sweet shoes- Saucony Kinvaras have carried me through 2 marathons, many halfs and more training runs. (not the same shoes silly, but the same line)

This past weekend I headed up to gorgeous Burlington VT with future dietitians Jen and Julia for eating, sight-seeing and a half marathon. It wasn't my best time, or my favorite race, but you can't always win right? I love Jessica Caouette's mantra of "Running is a Privledge" and that's what i kept in mind as a plodded along. Now I need plenty of yoga, before i hop right back on the running horse and get back to the speed i was 3 years ago (ouch).

my awesome running partners

This makes me all the more amped up for the Lululemon Seawheeze in August and whatever races I decided to run in-between!

What's in YOUR travel bag?

PS It's also International No Diet Day! Basically the best holiday. Please stop being like the girls behind me in yesterdays race, talking about the number of calories they have burned so far, and instead focus on how strong your body is, and treat it with the food you need. If you think you need a professionals help to stop the yo-yo dieting cycle you're on-shoot me an email!

 

Disclaimer: See those products in the bag above? Bought them. Used them. Loved them. No one is paying me to put their products in a list like this, though that would be pretty sweet. Have a question? Ask away!

May Day Giveaway

Thank you to all that entered the Vita Coco Giveaway. HOpe you all can sip some coocnut water in the sun soon. The winner of one case of Vita Coco is..... Keyse! Look for an email in your inbox today!

Not to leave any one out, I'm pleased to share that we have a second giveaway in a row today! A May Day Giveaway. (wait, it's May?? what??)

I met dietitian Heather Bauer at Expo East this past year and loved hearing about her monthly box subscription service bestowed. These monthly boxes are all the rage--from beauty products to food samples everyone wants to give you a taste of what's new and hot! I loved that Heather uses bestowed to deliver healthy dietitian-approved snacks and foods into the hands of her subscribers.

Each adorable box comes with an assortment of 5+ healthy foods. my box came with Oloves, KIND granola, EBoost, GNU high fiber snacks, and hemp hearts. Every box is different.

I'm newly obsessed with Oloves-thanks for the introduction to the spicy flavor! who doesn't want an olive snack on the go? and KIND granola will always have my heart.

Bestowed wants to give one of you a one-month subscription for free! Details below

• Open to US residents only
• Contest is open May 1st until May 8th at 8am.
• One entry for leaving a comment below on why you would want a bestowed box
• Second entry for tweeting "@ElizabethEats is giving away @bstowed box Enter now at: 

DOn't worry-EVERYONE can get $5 off by using discount code - 5OFFBESTOWED01. Use it here http://www.bestowed.com/pages/join2

Enter away!
Disclaimer: I was not paid to post about Vita Coco or Bestowed. I did receive one bestowed box. Question? Ask away!

 

Vita Coco Giveaway

To say the last 8 days have been unreal is an understatement. emotions run high, and there's still an edge of tension around Boston. I've been trying to seek out the good news and using friends, family and adorable puppies on buzzfeed to lighten the mood. There have also been gems like this Dove ad to brighten the day.

So when the people at Vita Coco asked if I wanted to do a giveaway, i thought why not. Love me some coconut water, and we could all use a little more giving in our lives.

 

To enter to win a case of Vita Coco simply leave a comment below on what you would do with this coconut water? (you could make a smoothie, or a stirfry. just to give you somewhere to start).

• Limited only to US residents (sorry Canada!)
• Giveaway starts now and ends at 8am EST on May 1 2013
• Enter to win a 2nd entry by tweeting " Win a case of @vitacoco from @elizabetheats http://www.dontwhitesugarcoatit.com/2013/04/vita-coco-giveaway.html"

Good luck and...

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Vita Coco did not pay me to host this giveaway. I did receive free product. Product that I love, buy and recommend anyways. Question? Ask away!

Thrive Mondays: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint by Being Vegan on Earth Day

The earth is a pretty rad place.

 

I quite like having it as my home

And I think it'd be pretty cool if it was around for awhile

We've been not so nice to the earth. but luckily for me and you, we do have the power to start to make amends. 

and that starts with plants. 

WHAT?? You say. She's gone off the deep end. plants aren't going to save the world!

well they could. When we think about carbon footprint and reducing our impact on the earth we immediately think of recycling, and driving more fuel efficient cars. That's great and important, but our food choices have the greatest impact on our carbon footprint.  Modern day food production takes a lot of resources. you need a whole lot of water, and feed to produce meat in the quantities we demand today. and if it's not done in North America, it's probably coming from South America, at the expense of some amazing rain forest.The carbon emissions from food production is greater than ALL means of transit around the world.

The cool thing about plants is that they don't  need much. And yes you can still get enough protein and calcium from them. And they sure can taste delicious.

 
FUN FACT: According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) If an American family of four ate no animal products for just ONE day a week, every week for a year, it'd be like taking their car off the highway for 5 weeks. If we all did it, just one day a week, it would be like not driving 91 billion miles!!

FUN FACT: Producing that quarter pound burger requires over 1,000 gallons of water.Plant-based proteins require 1/100 of that. 

Simple, painless ways you can reduce you food's carbon footprint:

• Embrace Meatless Mondays! For one day a week, toss the meat. There are a multitude of easy, simple meatless recipes out there. Look here, here, here and here. 
• Try 1 plant-based meal a day no you don't have to go completely vegan, and start rejecting fur. But starting with just one plant based meal a day is a great first step. A big power salad, or a smoothie? Bam. Take that global warming! 
• Not ready to go plant-based for just a day? Check out the EWG's guide for Meateaters-eat Greener meat! 
• BYOB-Bring Your Own Bag. I know it's cliche. just do it. Here's an adorable one from inslee if you're worried about not being fashionable

 

• Green is beautiful Think about making your beauty green too! Here are some fabulously GREEN beauty products
• Thrive Forward Brendan Brazier has great resources about sustainability and food choices on Thriveforward.com There's lists of most and least GREEN foods, and how to  make it easy to eat GREEN. Here's a sneak preview:

How are you staying green this earth day?

I Love Boston

I am a runner. I am a marathoner. I am a Bostonian.

To say my world shook yesterday is an understatement. A perfect day for the marathon. Blue skies and 50 degrees were a welcome relief to those who gruelled through 90 degree weather last year. A day when everyone in Boston is happy. Every step of 26.2 is lined with spectators-family, friends and those who seeked to be inspired by the resiliance of the human body. Most of the city has the day off. To celebrate, to be drunk college kid at the sideline, to cheer for everyone. It's a friendly competition that brings thousands from around the world to this town.

Because Boston has always felt like a small town, we often forget that we are just as vulnerable as any other city. Boston is a town where you always bump into someone you know, and despite our gruff exteriors is filled with some amazing, wonderful and inspirational people. While I (like most the city) am a transplant, I've called it home for the last 6 years.

So when I was typing away at my computer at 2:50, getting some work done, I knew getting multiple text messages from friends across the country asking if I was ok, wasn't a good sign. Turning on the tv I didn't see how the footage of explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon could be real. This can't happen to our city. Frantically calling, having no cell service, texting and facebookin to try to find out if all my friends in the area were ok. Once everyone checked in, I breathed a small sigh of a relief, because my corner of this town was ok. Shaken, scared, skiddish, but ok.

As the death and injured toll rose I tried to focus on the positive. The heroic volunteers rushing towards the bombs, the rapid response of the police and investigative team. The inspirational messages and checking in done across all forms of social media, from people whom i've never met, who may never have even been to Boston. Strangers reaching out to help.

Boston is a resiliant strong town. The running community is resiliant and strong. We will get through this, stronger than ever.

Feat and hatred never help. So now I can only do what I know. Hug those I love even closer. Tell people I love them. Send love and healing thoughts to those who are hurt. Take care of myself. And run.

 

Here's my retaliation:

1. Take care of your mental health: Breathe, meditate, do yoga, stretch it out. (if you've never foam rolled, start now)
2. Donate to Red Cross
3. Support local Boston running companies: New Balance, Marathon Sports, City Sports, South End Athletic Company, Heartbreak Hill Running Company, November Project, Run Keeper
4. Run (if you're looking to start a training program I love the Greatist's plans I'm using theirs for my half marathon in 2 weeks)

We are strong. Let's run.

Thrive Mondays: Thrive Forward Sport and Giveaway Winner

Today is the Boston Marathon and hence, a day to revitalize any old fitness resolutions the people of Boston may be having. We're on the sidelines today, dreaming of greatness.

So in the theme of all things active, two exciting annoucements today:

The winner of Phyl's Personal Training Giveaway is Steph! Congrats I'll be in touch shortly. If you haven't yet-be sure to vote for Phyl every day to be the Next Best Fitness Star! http://www.fitorflop.com/contestants/phyl_london/
And drum roll please... Thrive Forward Sport has been launched! Hopefully you've been digging the lessons in Thrive Forward (i've been loving them!)

Once you sign up you'll have the resources for everything you wanted to know about clean, sports nutrition.Thrive Forward, Sport Edition features 11 new video lessons featuring Brendan Brazier with special guests who are leaders in their sport — Tony Horton, creator of P90X; Kid Rainen from the Jabbawockeez; and Aaron Simpson, Professional UFC MMA fighter, among others.

Whether your an endurance athlete or a weight trainer, you'll find learn something new. With recipes to boot you have nothing to waste when you sign up for free! Let me know what yout think-Thriveforwward.com

How are you moving and shaking today?

Elizabeth Cooks: The Ultimate Recovery Smoothie Vegan and Gluten Free

You just endured a grueling workout. And now you're roaming through the cupboards trying to see what else you can eat. Why not nourish your muscles and your tastebuds with a delicious recovery smoothie?? This is one of my all-time faves. The coconut water helps to replenish electrolytes. Maca helps to nourish the adrenal glands and reduce cortisol levels. Tart cherry juice is ridiculously anti-inflammatory. and goji berries are antioxidant powerhouses. High-quality protein blend with BCAAs helps to repair and rebuild those tired muscles. BAM! take that inflammation and muscle soreness. See ya never!

Recovery Smoothie

• 1 scoop multisourced protein blend (such as Vega Performance Protein)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut water like Vita Coco
• 1/4 cup goji berries
• 1/4 cup tart cherry juice or dried-freeze powder
• 2 Tbs maca

Blend, drink. Your muscles are already thanking you.

 Disclaimer: By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Vita Coco and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated with product or for my time.

Elizabeth Cooks: Coconut Quinoa Pilaf

Quinoa rocks. It is International Year of Quinoa afterall. Packing a protein punch, plus B-vitamins, iron and potassium, ya gotta add it to your life. Add a tropical twist with a little coconut! Summer in spring no?

Coconut Quinoa Pilaf

Ingredients:

• 16 oz unsweetened Vita Coco coconut water
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

1. Thoroughly rinse quinoa to get rid of those dang saponins
2. Add coconut water, and then bring to a boil.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat, throw a top on it, and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Stir in coconut, almonds, and spices.
5. Serve as a side to a stir fry. Or add a little molasses and have for breakfast.

I prefer it with my favorite condiments: kimchi, sriracha and wine.

Want some more coconut-y recipes? Check these out! 

Disclaimer: By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Vita Coco and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated with product or for my time.

Elizabeth Cooks: Spicy Kimchi Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I love Brussels sprouts. Even when they're not perfectly in season. But sometimes New England Springs feel a lot like New England Falls. Deceptive sunlight that isn't always very warm. So spring Brussels sprouts it is. with kimchi. with heat. without bacon. (Sorry David Chang)

Spicy Kimchi Roasted Brussels Sprouts

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts
• 1 cup kimchi
• 2 TBS sea salt
• 2 TBS hot roasted seseme oil

Slice every lil sprout in half. Toss with kimchi, sea salt and spicy oil until sufficently mixed. Spread out on a parchament paper lined baking sheet. Roast at 350 for 45 minutes, stirring occaisionally. Enjoy!

Rosemary Chocolate Chip Cookies-Vegan and Gluten Free

I'm crazy for herbs. In soups, in stir-fries, in smoothies, bring it on. This month's Recipe Redux (a monthly roundup of recipes by dietitians) was Green with Herb Envy, as a challenge to use a fresh green herb in an "nontraditional way". This is as "nontraditional' as I get. and amazingly delicious.

 

Rosemary Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies-Vegan & GF

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (GF)
• 3/4 cup GF all-purpose flour (or whole wheat pastry flour if you're not GF)
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup coconut palm nectar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil 
• 2 T vanilla
• 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
• 3/4cup chocolate chips
• 2 T fresh rosemary

Mix oats, flour, salt and baking soda together. Then add sweeteners, coconut oil and vanilla. Lastly slowly mix in the tart cherries, chocolate chips and fresh rosemary. Dab cookies onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Enjoy!

So simple, so exotic, so delicious. Best dunked in almond or coconut milk. (you're welcome)

How are you ringing in the first and second days of spring?? Here are some more deliciously herby recipes

Boston Personal Trainer Giveaway

Note: This is a guest post by my friend Stephanie Horton MS RD. While I have not worked with Phyl London several people have raved to me about her skill as a personal trainer. If you are in the market for a new gym and a new personal trainer, and live in Boston, this is a great giveaway to enter!
Attention Boston! Win a Personal Training Session with Master Trainer Phyl London and a free day pass at Healthworks Fitness for Women!

Boston could be home to the Next Best Fitness Star! All you have to do is vote, vote, and vote again! And what’s even better, if you vote, you could win a day pass to Healthworks Fitness for Women and an hour-long private personal training session with Phyl London

 Here’s how to enter (it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…):

1.       Meet Phyl London and learn about her workout “Phylosophy” here.
2.       Vote for Phyl every day to be the Next Best Fitness Star! http://www.fitorflop.com/contestants/phyl_london/)
3.       Leave comment below every time you vote. Each time you vote and comment, you will be entered to win a day pass to Healthworks Fitness for Women and an hour-long private personal training session with Phyl!

Learn more about Phyl on her website and Facebook page.

The voting starts today and goes through April 30th. We will pick a winner on April 15th. that means you have 30 chances to enter! To enter/win you must live in Boston.  Good luck!

Cocktail Winner

 image credits: Kevin Liu

And the winner of Craft Cocktails at Home giveaway according to Random.org is.... Carlene!

My all the time drink is a vodka w/ soda and lemon BUT if I had to pick a favorite it's a vodka drink I had at Founding Farmers in DC with balls of melon and basil.

Congrats Carlene-may it serve as inspiration for your gorgeous wedding cocktails!\

For everyone else pick up Kevin's  Craft Cocktails at Home asap!

Anyone have any delicious cocktails this week?