Author: Lindsay Ingalls

Fitness Friday: Mondetta Performance Gear Giveaway!

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I had the best intentions of writing a Fitness Friday post last week and then our Anniversary Getaway took over and I decided to postpone my Fitness Friday and MPG Sport Giveaway until today.  I did post my May Fitness Follow Up and June Goals earlier this week so you can head over to that post to get all the details.  So far we are only 3 days into June and my workouts have included:

  • Wed-June 1: C25K Week 6 Day 1
  • Thurs-June 2: 30 min cross training
  • Fri-June 3: 20 min AM yoga; C25K Week 6 Day 2

MPG  REVIEW & GIVEAWAY!

Savvy Top and Stance Bottom

Mondetta Performance Gear (MPG), a Winnipeg based active wear company, contacted me a few months back about doing a review and giveaway. I decided that they would be a perfect fit for the blog and a great review/giveaway for a Fitness Friday post.  MPG allowed me to choose two items to review and provided me with the link to their Fit Guide to help me decide which size would be best. I decided to go with:

Top: Savvy

Sparkle jersey workout tank with contrast laser cut details.

  • Nylon-spandex blended jersey
  • Four-way stretch, moisture wicking, quick dry
  • Self fabric taping details
  • Ergonomic performance seams
  • Contrast laser-cut sonic welded inserts
  • Built in Coolmax bra liner with removable cups
  • Full support
  • High visibility logo

RECOMMENDED FOR: Light to heavy workouts, yoga, training, general exercis

Bottom: Stance

Performance capri legging for all types of exercise.

  • Polyester-spandex blended jersey
  • Four-way stretch, moisture wicking, quick dry
  • Breathable mesh leg panels
  • Zippered storage pocket
  • Built in gusset
  • Adjustable draw cord in waistband
  • Semi-low rise, fitted throughout, 21″ inseam
  • High visibility reflective logo

RECOMMENDED FOR: Low or high impact workouts, yoga, dance, running

The Stance capri leggings are now easily one of my favorite bottoms to run and do yoga in.  I love them so much that I am planning on getting another pair after I finish writing this post.  They fit perfectly just below the waist (on me) and have a nice adjustable draw cord which is really beneficial for runs.  I also love the breathable mesh leg panels.  I am not a short wearer so the breathable mesh leg panels allow my legs to be covered but not over heated when I run.  The other thing I love is the zippered storage pocket on the back; it is perfect for keeping a single key and ID.

The Savvy top was nice but not a favorite top of mine.  I love the color and the material but although it is described as having full support I didn’t find that it provided full sport when I was running.  However this may be a case that I require a large top and my bust requires a medium.  However, I found that it did provide good support for yoga.

Overall I was impressed by the items I tried from MPG.  They are high quality items at a reasonable price. I have washed and worn the items a number of times since I received them in April and they still look brand new!  In addition to making impressive active wear MPG is also involved in charitable activities, the Mondetta Charity Foundation (MCF).  Our founders were all born in the East African countries of Kenya and Uganda and have decided to support an an orphanage in the former and a school in the latter.  Most of the children directly benefiting from the MCF’s efforts have either lost their parents to AIDS or are themselves living with the disease that has ravaged most of the African continent.  One percent of total MPG sales are contributed to the MCF, which is a completely separate entity from the parent company, Mondetta, meaning all operating and administration costs are covered by the company and all donated funds received go directly where they should: to help those in need.

To learn more about the foundation and its initiatives, please check out the link below.

Also, 1% of every MPG garment sold goes to the foundation. For more info on the charity please check out Mondetta Gives Back.

So the best part about this review is that MPG has agreed to giveaway one of their products to a Cook.Vegan.Lover. reader. For the giveaway, MPG would like to offer one reader anything from the website in both active and lifestyle tops and bottoms.  Additionally, I would like to mention that MPG makes both active and lifestyle tops and bottoms for men and women so guys don’t forget to enter!

To Enter Giveaway: Open to US and Canadian Residents. Winner is Ashley! Congrats!

You must head over to Facebook and “Like” MPG Mondetta Performance Gear and then come back here and leave a comment letting me know you did so by June 8th, 2011 at 8pm EST.

Lastly, MPG is providing Cook.Vegan.Lover. readers with the following discount code to receive 25% off a one-time purchase that expires 6.30.11: veganloverlovesmpg

Want to read more? Head over to Brittany’s MPG review at her blog Eating Bird Food.

Anniversary Getaway Day 2: Providence

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After our morning at the best bakery ever the Hubz and I continued on our way to Providence. After a few bad turns and a round about way we finally made it into downtown Providence where we first got our shop on and then hit the pavement to explore the city. When I was planning our trip I asked the twitterverse what I should do/see in Providence and many people replied with the Waterfire Providence. Unfortunately we were only in the Providence for the day but we did get to see them setting up for it and it looks like it would have been really nice to see. Oh well, something for next time.

After strolling around the downtown streets visiting with lions and turtles we finally found somewhere to eat.  We stopped in at AS220 a place I had read about during my planning sesh.  AS220 has a gallery, a bar and a cafe and they also host a number of other events.  When I saw the menu I was all about ordering the vegan Bahn Mi but of course just my luck they were out.  Instead I ordered the vegan mac and cheese and the Hubz got the marinated tofu and kale sandwich.  We also ordered the “spicy” black eyed pea fritters.

My mac and cheese was really delicious and Neil (who waited inside to get the food) said they made it all fresh right there. I loved the addition of the broccoli and crispy bread crumbs to my mac and cheese- so good. The Hubz sandwich was really delicious too; we both loved the pickled onions that they put on it- so good. Now as for the “spicy” black eyed pea fritters …..well they were um gross. They had a weird smell, consistency and taste and they were by no means spicy. The vegan sour cream that they came with also tasted really awful. Well I guess two out of three isn’t bad- can’t win them all! Overall we really like the food at AS220, would we go back? Possibly but there are other vegan options around so we would probably try something new first or just eat all our meals at the best bakery ever.

Anniversary Getaway Day 1 Part 3 & Day 2 Part 1

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After dinner the Hubz and I headed back to the Aloft for a drink (or two) at the hotel bar. Unlike most hotel bars the prices weren’t ridiculous and the best part was the beautifully lit patio, the fun seating areas and of course the pool table. The Hubz and I had a drink and had a mini photo shoot on the patio while we waited for the pool table to free up.

We played a few (okay like 5) rounds of pool before calling it a night and heading back to our comfy giant bed. It is always nice to sleep in a king bed and it makes me miss having one (serious who down sizes from a king to a double-not recommended).

After a night of dinner, drinks, pool and of course elevator dancing we were in need of a gym sesh.  So we headed to the hotel gym and I got in a run and the Hubz used the elliptical.  After that we showered and hit the road to the most amazing bakery I have ever been to.

WE CAME TO DANCE DANCE DANCE

C25K Week 5 Day 2

We spent a hungry hour in the car making our way to Wildflour Vegan Bakery what I am now claiming to be the most amazing bakery I have ever been to in my life.  I could honestly eat here everyday (and would if it wasn’t 4 hours away). We walked in and were overwhelmed by the vast selection of baked goods as well as other tasty items such as kale chips, fresh juices and smoothies.  To help us decide we took advantage of the free samples of basil lemonade, peanut butter brownie and raw chocolate brownie.

As you can see there were so many options to choose from but in the end the Hubz and I decided that the scones looked most appealing for breakfast.  After a heated debated over which ones we would get we decided on the granola scone and the spinach and mushroom scone.  Along with the scones I got a green juice and the hubz an avocolada smoothie.

Everything was amazing and we obviously ordered too much so we ended up taking the granola scone with us and snacked on it throughout the day. The scones were absolutely amazing and flakey; I have never experienced anything so good.

Anniversary Getaway Day 1 Part 2

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After checking into our lovely hotel the Hubz and I headed out to The Elephant Walk in Waltham for dinner.  This restaurant has been on my “must visit” list for awhile but we have never made it there. A few times I tired to make last minute reservations but they have always been booked (guess that means they must be good right?)  Well I lucked out this time and got a last minute reservation at the Waltham location and I am so glad I did because it was delicious!

I received a number of great recommendations as to what to get at The Elephant Walk by a number of tweeps and in the end the Hubz and I decided to both do the 3 Course Prix-Fixe since it was our anniversary and all.

We both ordered the Vegan Rouleaux, Chilled Avocado Citrus Soup and theVegan Crevettes (tofu) Amrita for our three courses.  We also both picked out fancy cocktails.  I chose the Cucumber Martini; it was really refreshing and so good.

Crop organic cucumber vodka accented with a splash of Dolin White Vermouth (an amazing, small production family product) and garnished with a slice of cucumber

First Course: Vegan Rouleaux– this was a really amazing and fun dish to eat.  We were instructed that you take the lettuce leaf and place the fried roll in the middle, then top with mint, basil and bean sprouts roll it up and dip in the sauce.  It was crazy delicious and there was so much food- I definitely got a little filled up just on the first course! I am now going to have to recreate these some day after a long run.

Two Cambodian spring rolls filled with something vegan , crushed peanut, beanthread noodles, carrot and onion; served with fresh greens and herbs for wrapping and tuk trey on the side for dipping

Second Course: Chilled Avocado Citrus Soup– this was the Hubz favorite of the three. It had such an amazing flavor and zip to it.  Again something I need to attempt to recreate.

Third Course: Tofu Amrita- this final course was absolutely delicious.  It was huge as well and neither the Hubz nor I could finish more than half of it after devouring the first two courses.  The dish was filled with wonderful chunks of crispy tofu with lots of veggies and a sweet peanuty sauce. Overall delicious.

Organic Tofu sautéed in a lightly sweet and spicy Cambodian satay sauce with coriander, cumin, cardamom, galangal, cinnamon, ginger, peanuts, star anise and lemongrass; with button mushroom, onion, red pepper and scallion

Overall the Hubz and I loved The Elephant Walk; the food and drink were both amazing.  The atmosphere of the Waltham location wasn’t my favorite because it wasn’t very romantic and they seemed to try and fit as many tables in as possible so you were basically sitting on top of the people next to you.  However despite that the food was amazing and we will be going back (again and again).

May Fitness Wrap Up & June Goals

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So I didn’t get my Fitness Friday and giveaway post up this past Friday because the Hubz and I decided to run away early to celebrate our Third Wedding Anniversary. As part of the post I was going to my MPG Sport Review and Giveaway but I am going to do it this week. Until then MPG would like to give you the opportunity to save 25% off a one-time purchase (expires 6.30.11) please use the following discount code: veganloverlovesmpg


Here is the weekly wrap up of my workouts:

  • Friday: Off
  • Saturday: C25k Week 4 Day 2 plus walk 32 min
  • Sunday: off
  • Monday: C25k and walk 1hr 8min
  • Tuesday: Elliptical 10 minutes; weights 35 minutes
  • Wednesday:  walk 36min
  • Thursday: C25k 32min
  • Friday: Off
  • Saturday: C25k 32min
  • Sunday: C25k 32 min
  • Monday: Off
  • Tuesday: Walk 2 miles- 36min

Days: 22/22 Days  21 hours & 02 minutes/15.5 Hours

June 2011 Goals

  • 80%
    • Must workout 24 days
    • Total of 22.5  hours

OR

  • 70%
    • Must workout 21 days
    • Total of 25.5 hours

IIn other exciting news the Hubz and I decided to cross another thing off our Bucket List last night…..we signed up for a half marathon! Not only did we sign up for a half marathon we signed up for the Disney World Half Marathon!!!

    Anniversary Getaway Day 1 Part 1

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    Coffee and Complimentary Water

    The Hubz and I just returned last night from an anniversary weekend getaway and we both have been back to work and busy busy busy! Where did the long weekend go?!

     

    Friday night the Hubz and I headed out to start our Third Wedding Anniversary Getaway! We made a last minute decision to head to Massachusetts a day early and we stayed at a hotel I have been dying to stay at since I went away for girls weekend last summer. For our girls weekend getaway we headed to Lexington, MA to the Element Hotel which I loved and is located across the driveway from ALoft where the girls and I enjoyed a little night life.  After the girls weekend I knew I had to find a time to stay at the Aloft and our anniversary seemed like the perfect time!

    Bed

    Sink

    The Most Amazing Shower

    The Aloft is a fun and young boutique hotel chain part of W Hotels.  The Hubz and I both loved the atmosphere of the hotel as well as it’s gym and our room.  Our bed was super comfy and the shower absolutely amazing!

     

    Hotel Rating (5= amazing, 4=good, 3=pretty good, 2=meh, 1=awful)

    • Value: 5/5
    • Rooms: 5/5
    • Location: 4/5
    • Cleanliness: 3.5/5
    • Service: 5/5
    • Sleep Quality 4/5
    • Overall Rating: 4.42/5

    Day 1 part 2 to come…