Monday 30 December 2013

Fall In Love With the INKnBURN Tech Tube and the Many Ways To Wear It

A. Neck warmer   B. Twisted toque/beanie   C. Driving Miss Daisy (to be worn to keep warm, protect you from the elements and/or under a helmet)   D. Hair tie   E. Wrist sache (to wipe away sweat)   F. Head/Face/Neck protector (for skiing, running and more)   G. Headband (folded or wrinkled) 
H. Alice Band (to pull back hair and protect the ears)   I. Bandana   J. Tied toque/beanie   K. Straight On (stops perspiration from dripping onto face and protects the neck)  L. Neck/Face mask (protects from cold, dust, etc)


My favourite INKnBURN item when asked, has always been the shorts. Or my Run or Die tank. Or my Sugar Skull long sleeve. Well, all of them, really. But when I stop to think about which item I use the most (every run), and could not live without, it is the Tech Tube.

The Tech Tube is so versatile and comfortable that I believe that every active person, whether man or woman, runner, biker, or skier should have one!

The moisture wicking technical fabric that each Tech Tube is made from appears differently depending how you fold or wear it. The Tech Tube is breathable, wind resistant and has no pressure points when worn. In warm weather it will protect you from the elements of nature (sun, wind, dust and more), all while wicking moisture away. In cold weather the Tech Tube will keep you warm still while protecting you from the elements.

The Tech Tube is very simple to use, and I had no trouble figuring out the many different ways to use and wear mine. With all of the cold weather in Alberta right now I have been using mine mostly as a toque (both knotted and twisted to create a double layer).  I also favour it as a headband to keep my ears warm and to keep hair out of my face, both while exercising and while putting my makeup on. 

I have tried other brands (The Buff and one made by Salomon) but I now prefer the beauty, comfort and versatility of the Tech Tube. I find I do not get headaches as I have with others,  it is super durable and I cannot believe how quickly it dries!

INKnBURN is made right here in North America! The Tech Tube sells for $25USD and can be found online. www.inknburn.com/gear/tech-tube.html

Sunday 29 December 2013

Gluten-Friendly Mac and Cheese

1 3/4 cups macaroni (I used the corn variety)
3 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup gluten free flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried mustard
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp paprika plus more to sprinkle on top
2 cups milk
2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese

1. Boil pasta until al dente. Rinse with cool water immediately to stop from cooking. Return to original pot and add a small amount of butter to stop from sticking together.
2. Preheat oven to 375F.
3. Over medium heat, melt the butter. 
4. Add the flour, salt, mustard, pepper and paprika. Stir constantly over medium heat for about 3 minutes.
5. Stir in milk.
6. Whisk constantly for about 10 minutes, until it is thick.
7. Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of cheese. Stir unit melted.
8. Pour sauce over noodles until they are well covered.
9. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and dust lightly with paprika.
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until  the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Saturday 28 December 2013

Merry Christmas to Everyone! I hope that you have all been well and enjoying plenty of laughter and cheer with friends and family! I was working over Christmas, so I just enjoyed the laughter and love with family, but I am making up for the cheer this weekend :)
This was our wine choice for the evening. We paired it with prime rib roast. At only $14/bottle it is a perfect bottle to have on your shelf for an everyday wine. It would go well with just about anything, or on its own. It has a very light oak undertone, with the flavour of fruit being the forerunner.
It won't be my choice for New Year's, but I would definitely buy it again. I will be at my sisters new place in Calgary to ring in 2014. With her inlaws there and the spirit and excitement in the air I think I will splurge on my wine for the evening. 
Stay tuned for my review of that one!

Sunday 15 December 2013

Treadmill Running

Treadmill Running can be Difficult! But it is definitely better than sitting on the couch! I just had to do my run on my treadmill, due to lack of childcare, but I feel much better, and happier now that I am done! It got me back to thinking about an article I read a while back and found some helpful hints for running on the treadmill. Hope you find them useful as well :)

Watch your step. While the cushioned surface helps prevent injuries, some people report aches and pains after putting extra time on the ’mill. Be sure to run at a pace you can comfortably sustain. As you tire, lower your speed or the incline.
Just let go. If you can’t keep up with the treadmill without grabbing the handrails, you’re going too fast. Holding onto the handrails can throw off your stride and create a twisting motion, which can lead to injuries.
Step outside…carefully. If you’ve done 100 percent of your workouts on a treadmill, gradually integrate outdoor running into your routine. Too quick a transition can lead to injury. Outside, your calf muscles have to work harder to propel you forward; so do the smaller stabilizer muscles in the joints and ankles. On your first outside run, start with 10 minutes, and add five minutes the next week. Continue to build gradually.
Know your numbers. The “calories burned” readouts on treadmills—and any other exercise machines—are rarely accurate. That’s because treadmills estimate total calories burned rather than the net number—i.e., calories burned solely through exercise, above and beyond what we would have used anyway. Plus, keep in mind that most machines don’t account for body-fat percentage, gender, age, resting heart rate, or whether you’re holding onto the rails. But you don’t have to totally ignore the machine’s stats. Use the calorie readout as a barometer of your progress. If the calorie readout goes up from one session to the next for the same workout, you know you’re getting fitter.
Decipher the pacing info. How fast or slow are you going? Many treadmills show pace as miles-per-hour (MPH). Here’s a cheat sheet so you can find your minutes-per-mile pace, more commonly used by runners.
  • 4.0 mph = 15:00 minutes per mile
  • 4.5 mph = 13:20 minutes per mile
  • 5.0 mph = 12:00 minutes per mile
  • 5.5 mph = 10:55 minutes per mile
  • 6.0 mph = 10:00 minutes per mile
  • 6.5 mph = 9:14 minutes per mile
  • 7.0 mph = 8:34 minutes per mile
Mix it up. In order to build your overall fitness, it’s a good idea to do faster workouts with no incline as well as slower-paced workouts with an incline. The slower uphill workouts build strength, while the faster flat workouts help you develop stamina, endurance, and quick footwork. Adjust both speed and incline during your workout, and you can better simulate the changing terrain of a road run.

Saturday 7 December 2013


It was much too cold to run outside today (-49 C with the Windchill, -37 C without), so I took my workout inside.
Thanks so much to Marie at the Collicutt for the great total body workout this fine Saturday morning :)

Tuesday 3 December 2013

I always love running along the river! Whether it's in Ottawa, Calgary, or Fernie. But Spokane is definitely one of my favourites now! I cannot believe I had never been down to Riverfront park in the past. It is Beautiful! There is so much to see and do there.
My top 5 things I saw were the outdoor Ice Palace, the large wagon, the clock tower, Spokane Falls, and all of the friendly people I saw along the way.
I am very excited to bring my family back and actually explore the park. There are many things to see and do that include the Looff Carrousel, The Skyride, Enchanted Forest Mini Golf, The tour train, Pavilion Amusement Rides, and The IMAX theatre.
There are also Many free things to experience. Including the Centennial Trail (37.5 miles of trail that passes through Riverfront Park). There is also the sculpture walk and the Riverfront Fountain.
I would recommend visiting the park at any time of the year. It is definitely worth the trip!

Sunday 24 November 2013

Origin: Spain
Rated with 91 points
Price: We received it as a gift, but it appears that it varies in price with an average of $40/bottle
Grape Blend: Garnatxa negre, Carinyena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
It is definitely a powerful wine that would be best paired with a powerful meat as well, such as lamb or beef.
This is a wine is of enormous physical dimension, with tannins that plant themselves like marble columns decorated in ripe black fruits and sweet spice.
Its flavour (as described by Steven Tanzer) are Inky ruby. Raspberry, minerals, Asian spices and smoky oak on the nose. Fine-grained and sweet, with impressive lift to the flavors of raspberry, wild strawberry and minerals. Finishes long and juicy, with sweet, silky tannins and a strong snap of zesty minerals. 

CHRIS AND I REALLY ENJOYED THIS WINE AND WE WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO FRIENDS AND STRANGERS ALIKE :)



Friday 22 November 2013

Well, we are back from our Vegas adventure!
The weather was perfect (Sunny and 20 C) and we had a wonderful time away.
Chris and I successfully ran the Rock n Roll half marathon. Although Chris did not train at all, he was able to get caught up in the excitement of the race package pickup and decided to run anyways. I cannot say that I am proud of him (because he really did not train AT ALL!) But I am happy that he did and that he has the medal to prove it :)
I however am slightly disappointed with my time. I felt really good and decided that I would try and go for a personal best. I did not have my gps with me, so I thought it would be reasonable to pair up with one (or two) of the 1:45 pacers.
I felt super strong the first half, and my split times show that. I ran less than a 5:00min/km for the first half, and that is about the time I saw my first 1:45 pacer. Not only did I find one, I found 2. I thought this was perfect so I just followed with them for the remaining 5 miles.
I now know that if you have a goal in mind, you should probably try and bring your own Garmin, or at least go with what feels good.
I stayed with my pacers up until the last mile, but decided to blow past them as I felt so strong. Turns out the reason I felt so strong was because they were not running the 5:00min/km that they were advertising.  I finished the 13.1 miles in 153:03. A far cry from my goal of less than 1:45. But Hey! I guess I have learned something (and enjoyed myself doing it).
The run itself was amazing! They close down the entire Las Vegas Strip for 7 hours! Our photos are fabulous that were taken by MarathonFoto, and they all include a beautiful backdrop of some point along Las Vegas Boulevard. I can honestly say that I have never been tempted to buy the expensive photo packages until now. The shots are amazing and super fun and they will definitely provide a reminder of just how much fun it was. And the cost also comes with a $20 credit to use at Shutterfly.
The opening band was The All-American Rejects and that just paved the way for a fantastic run. There were bands and/or DJ's every couple of miles along the way that were playing upbeat music for running.
Overall, Chris and I both had a lot of fun and I would recommend another Rock n Roll Marathon. In fact, I am already looking to sign up for another!
Cheers! And Rock On!

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Vegan Gluten Friendly Banana/zucchini bread (or muffins)

1 Large very ripe banana
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
3/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup grated zucchini
3/4 cups rice flour
3/4 cups buckwheat flour
1tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease an 8x4 metal bread pan
In a large mixing bowl, mash the banana until there are no large chunks left. Add the applesauce, coconut oil, sugar and vanilla and use a strong fork to mix well. Mix in the grated zucchini.
Sift in the buckwheat flour, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda, and salt. Mix to combine. Add the rice flour, and mix until there is no visible flour left.
Transfer to baking pan and bake for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. If it needs more time, turn heat to 325 F and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to metal cooling rack.
Slice and Enjoy!



Monday 4 November 2013

Tinhorn Creek is a winery in Oliver, BC
It is always one of our favourites :) Although we prefer the 2Bench series and the Cab Franc. The Merlot is a pleasure as well...
Following are the tasting notes.
Medium-full-bodied, this weaves a nice balance of fruit and savoury components into a complex profile. It’s smooth yet spicy, with flavours of berry, milk chocolate, herbs and cedar. Merlot with more personality than most.

It scored 89points with Beppi Crosariol and it retails at about $20/bottle.

Cheers!
This was the result of my Inversion workshop at The Breathing Room.
I did full headstands and handstands, but the teddy bear headstand was what I felt most comfortable doing at home by myself :)
It was definitely a fun workshop and highly recommend it!

Thursday 31 October 2013

This was our Halloween wine choice for the night :)
It was an excellent choice!

Medium ruby in colour with aromas of red cherry plus hints of vanilla. It is medium-bodied, slightly austere with flavours of red cherry ending with tart acidity. 
Happy Halloween Everyone!!! Heading out for a 16K run right now :)

Sunday 27 October 2013

Sunday Night Dinner included Mediterranean Seafood Stew and Apothic White wine.
Even the kids enjoyed the stew and Chris (whom normally does not enjoy white wine) had seconds of both the stew and the wine. We both noted the flavour of Vanilla with the wine. Which is one of our favourite flavours.

Following are the tasters notes for the Apothic White as well as the recipe for the Stew :)

Apothic White is an approachable blend that combines Chardonnay, Riesling and Moscato to create a luscious, vibrant wine in the bold style of Apothic. Intense flavors of peach, pineapple, honey and vanilla spice make this smooth white blend unforgettable.
Caribbean Seafood Stew
2 lbs of  raw seafood (I used 1 lb raw shrimp, calamari rings and Wild fresh snapper)
1 yellow onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons cumin
1 bunch cilantro
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 can coconut milk
1 tbsp coconut oil
Sea salt and black pepper to taste.
Dice up the stems of the cilantro bunch and set aside. In a large soup pot saute the onions in the coconut oil.  When the onions start to turn brown, add the garlic and the cilantro stems and saute for another 2-3 onions.  Add the tomatoes, cumin, salt and pepper, mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes.  Add the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Add the seafood and cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the seafood is done.  Serve with the cilantro leaves on top as a garnish.
Enjoy!

Eat, Drink and Be Scary!

I made a Cauldron full of Devilish Dip and brought Curious Beast Blood Red Wine.
I bought the wine because of the cool packaging, but was pleasantly surprised at how great this wine tasted. It was smooth on its own, as well as with our appetizers. I will definitely be buying this one again. I might just find it some where cheaper than at the Liquor Barn (I paid $21).
Following are the tasters notes...
Curious Beasts will certainly pique your visual interest, the label perfectly gothic and bloody looking. This wrapped wine (shown in photo without the paper wrapping) is a red blend that offers black fruits, chocolate, spiced plums and leather with savoury undertones. The palate follows suit it's supple and has good freshness - cherry, black plum flavours with oodles of chocolate and blackberry trailing on the finish. It will pair with dark chocolate (spiked with chilies would be great) or serve with grilled meats or chili con mole. 
Here is part of my weekend, Rockin' my Ink n Burn

Saturday 26 October 2013

Started my Saturday off with a fantastic workout!
Following is our workout we did in about 1 hour.
My entire body should be feeling this one tomorrow :)

Thursday 24 October 2013

Had a wonderful 10K run this morning! Fall is here and it's beautiful! The wind was great for training and made it challenging for my sprints :)
My run consisted of a quick pace 5K followed by 5K of intermittent wind sprints. I would run for 5 minutes at about a 5:15/km and then sprint for 1 minute. And then repeat.
It felt great to get out in the fresh air and the sun!
Wishing you all a terrific day as well!

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Here is my favourite pre-workout breakfast. It is easy, tastes great and provides enough energy to keep me going...

Refrigerator Oatmeal
Heaping 1/4 cup regular dry oats
1/3 cup Almond milk ( or other milk of choice)
2 heaping spoonfuls of greek yogurt
10 Almonds, chopped into bits
2-4 tsp Chia seeds
Dash of vanilla
Drizzle of Honey
Dash of Cinnamon
Fruit (of your choice, and as much as you would like. I usually add blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. Bananas are also quite good)

Stir all ingredients together and refrigerate overnight so oatmeal and chia seeds soften.
Enjoy cold :)
Welcome to my Blog! I am hoping to share my journey in life which currently includes my road to Deathrace...
I will write about running, wine and I hope to share some recipes that I find along my path.
Hope you all enjoy! Please feel free to to share information, recipes and more...