Just a few things worth sharing!
Food
We ran out of Southwest seasoning a while back and I found this guy at Whole Foods. It’s a GREAT spice! It’s salt free (great so you can add your own) and is a blend of garlic, paprika, cayenne, chili powder, cilantro, parsley, and cumin. It’s our go-to guacamole spice these days 
Beauty
I have been really impressed by my latest BirchBox products! { <—affiliate link, FYI} I am not so much of a beauty junkie, so I love that Birchbox forces me to try new things – and I am so excited when I love them. Here are two that I like so much I dropped some bones on the full sizers:
This Coola sunscreen rocks! I use WaterBabies Pure & Simple on my body (and Mazen) because it’s a zinc-based UV ray blocker and pretty natural (see this post for more), but on my face I want something that isn’t goopy white for using everyday under makeup or when I need to add more sunscreen to my face quickly during the day (like right before a soccer game). I was using this Neutrogena brand one and liked it just OK, but this Coola sunscreen blows that one outta the water! It is clear, light and super smooth to apply and has a lovely cucumber scent. The ingredients are 70% organic, and it is marketed to be eco-friendly. No parabens or oxybenzone either. Lastly, I love the little pump applicator.
Also from a recent Birchbox I have a new foundation for the first time in years. I’m still using all of my BareMinerals products on top, but this Supergoop is going on as a base layer. It’s a CC cream (which I think means moisture + color + sunscreen, but correct me if I’m wrong!). The first time I used it I couldn’t believe how even my skin tone looked and how well a liquid blended in. I have never had a liquid foundation blend this well. Matt said I looked like I had a little too much makeup on, but my girlfriends noted that I looked particularly glowy and polished. I decided to buy the full size for those days when I want to look a little bit more put together : ) And now I’m doubled up on the sun protection!
Fitness
Have you danced to the beat of a drum lately? My friend Gina has a brand new DVD out featuring her smashing drum dance class that I took when I visited Canyon Ranch. I LOVED the class in person, and the DVD is a wonderful way to extend the fun. African dance is my favorite type and this is a style everyone can do. This is my new rainy day exercise plan. Mazen likes to shake it too! You can get the DVD for $26 and learn more here. And here’s a sneak peek about what it’s like!
And finally, my friend Matt the No Meat Athlete has a new book out!
He gifted me a digital copy to peruse, and I’ve been nothing but impressed with its contents. There’s a grocery store guide and a ton of awesome plant-based recipes, including several formulas to help you customize your own smoothies, bars or veggie burgers. From the food to race training plans, I hope to be able to pull some of this for my own life (if I ever run another race, dang it!) Seriously though, I do hope to run the Charlottesville 10 Miler sometime in the future, and I plan to consult Matt’s book for some advice.
I also love this quote in his healthy eating section about creating new habits:
So true.
I’m always looking for great spice blends that are salt free and still full of flavor. Thank you for the recommendation- I will check it out the next time I’m at WF. It will make a great addition to our spice cabinet!
I’ve been wanting to try a CC cream for ages. I might have to check that brand out! I use liquid foundation, but I’m kind of over it and I think a CC would feel better on my skin. Thanks for sharing!
I did the 10 Miler this year, and it was awesome! First time running that distance, and the track club training program was very very helpful. It’s a tough course, but the program gets you well ready for it. Plus I have never been so fit through the winter as I was this past winter. I am genuinely sad I’m not doing it this year-race date conflicts with a longstanding tradition of running the Monument Avenue 10K for me.
I hope to run the 10 miler sometime as well! I was training for it two years ago, but injured my hip so I wasn’t able to race 🙁 Maybe next year?? Thanks for sharing about the No Meat Athlete book – will definitely check it out!
I definitely need to give CC cream a try!
Great stuff! I may have to give that CC cream a try — I haven’t found any that I love, so maybe this one will be the winner 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Gina’s video is so much fun! I have to show this to my little niece.
(omg it was preceded by the CRAZIEST ad! LOL If you watch that vid and an ad with a blond woman sitting on a toilet in a blue dress comes on DO NOT SKIP. LOL)
I love Birchbox – and that Coola sunscreen has been the best sunscreen I’ve used on my face in…maybe ever. I know. I swear I’m not always such a fan girl. A note, in case you decide to try the matte instead of classic version, it feels very different (and doesn’t smell as good). I thought it would be essentially the same except, well, matte, but it feels like an entirely different brand. It feels almost powdery – though it doesn’t look it – and is very matte, but I miss the yummy smell!
I believe CC stands for “conceal and correct.” I’ve been meaning to try some CC and BB creams!
The Small Things Blog has a great post about all the differences between them:
http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2013/06/bb-cc-dd-creams-when-will-it-end.html
I’ve heard so many great things about Gina’s workout video, it’s definitely something I think I’d enjoy!
Just bought the NMA book last weekend. I’m loving it too! I hope you start racing again. I love following along with your training/racing on the blog. Of course, I’m obsessed with running myself so I have a soft spot for running bloggers.
oh i’ve been very interested in trying the cc cream. i am an avid bb cream user but i need to add a little concealer for work days in addition. it would be nice to have one step. thanks for the rexommendation!
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2013/10/pumpkin-muffins.html
I need to buy that DVD–I’m seeing it everywhere! Thanks for the recommendations. 🙂 Have a great Friday!
I’ll be headed to Whole Foods this weekend – will def. be on the lookout for this spice blend. And I have yet to try a CC cream. My skin is very “flawed” because of acne, so I prefer products with a litle more coverage. I do, however, use a liquid foundation – Revlon Colorstay. It’s amazing, especially considering it’s a drugstore find that only cost me $13.
I love No Meat Athlete! The information is always so timely and good to be reminded about. I can’t wait to read his new book.
I enjoy Matt’s blog. Thanks for the book rec!
I believe CC stands for “color correction”. I’m a fan!
That quote is so true…how often do you do/try something new and then if it doesn’t’ flow or work out right away you want to just toss it out the window…it can be apply to all aspects in your life really! Great post – and a bunch of people have mentioned this DVD! Very cool!
-Sammy @ http://www.peaceandloveandicecream.com
Thanks for sharing Birch Box…I’ve been doing Popsugar the last two months and haven’t been thrilled. It’s ok I guess, but I really loved past boxes they did so I figured the new ones would be good too. Have a great weekend!
Must get a copy of Matt’s book! Would be totally up my alley…he’s a great wit about him from what I’ve read!
Okay I am going to have to try that spice sometime. I am always trying to perfect my guacamole, so I’ve got to give this a shot! 🙂
i love the concepts of birchbox/etc. postpartum (well a few MONTHS postpartum 🙂 ) i totally want to try stitchfix, too. the idea of regular ‘surprise!’ shipments makes me so happy! kind of like magazines but better.
ps: YEAHHH 10-miler! someday i am determined to get back to c-ville to do that 1/2 marathon again. one of my favorite races ever. okay i feel like i am comment-bombing your blog tonight 🙂
Fun to hear from you!!
LOVE these finds!;) I’m such a spice nerd! I will buy any spice if it’s new, healthy, and at Whole Foods, lol:P) I’ve wanted to read Matt’s book for awhile:) Thanks for pushing me a little further to:) Have a lovely weekend!
I too put BB cream on then mineral foundation (very light, just enough to really set the cream). I love it.
That spice looks like something MY TASTE BUDS WOULD ADORE!!! 😀
Thank you for the book recommendation. I have been trying to do a mostly plant based diet and will look into getting the book.
Gotta try that spice! I’m so lazy when it comes to using spices sometimes and it makes SUCH a difference!
I love how that spice mix doesn’t have any salt – I hate when they are packed with sodium! And I am glad to hear that you like the Coola sunscreen, I am going to try it out on my upcoming trip to warmer temperatures 🙂
Thanks for mentioning Matt’s book! I heard of No Meat Athlete but never checked out his website until reading this post. Now Mark Bittman has a rival for my food/lifestyle crush affections. I love Matt’s philosophy and just used his protein bar formula to create tasty chocolate mocha bars full of real ingredients.