[Running] Running For Pinot | Oregon Wine Country Half

July 3, 2015 by Lindsay Ingalls 10 Comments

Happy Friday Friends! We are in full race training mode at our house with my 10K this September and Neil has registered for the Oregon Wine Country Half (and I’m totally jealous). This race has been on both of our bucket lists since we moved here in 2013 and this year Neil is going to be crossing it off his bucket list. I’m hoping that next year I’ll be free of running injuries and maybe I’ll be able to cross it off my bucket list as well.

The Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon starts at Stoller Family Estate, offering an idyllic 13.1-mile course that runs through the heart of the Willamette Valley in Yamhill County, winding past a cluster of four American Viticulture Areas and through vineyards and orchards before reaching the beautiful residential area of Lafayette.

Participants rave about the small-town charm, incredible sunrise views, scenic course, great wines, and post-race Wine & Music Festival, presented by Ken Wright Cellars in the heart of Carlton. The Wine + Music Festival will feature over 20 wineries and Lagunitas Brewing Company pouring at the event, along with live music!

For more information, including a complete list of wineries, course map, and travel information, visit the race website:http://destinationraces.com/runoregon/.
Before you head out for you Fourth of July celebrations get into the spirit by celebrating our 33^rd state!If you’re not sure which one that is, here is a hint. You’ll find the beautiful Willamette Valley located here and it’s known for amazing Pinot Noir. Earn your stripes by running the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon – it’s going to be a blast!

Register to run the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon from now until July 9^th at 11:59pm for your chance to win a case of Pinot Noir and an awesome training kit (Fitbit tracker, running shoes and more).

What race is on your bucket list?

Disclaimer: Neil received entry to the race in exchange for this post.We are thrilled to attend and cheer him on! I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice 2015 | Portland, OR Edition

June 18, 2015 by Lindsay Ingalls 2 Comments

Summer officially starts this Sunday! Whose excited? I know I am, although I feel like summer has already started and that for some reason it already feels like it is flying by. Here are a few ways to get out and celebrate the Summer Solstice; which is at 9:39am on June 21, 2015 for those who live in PDX.

Looking for a fun way to kick of summer? If you are in Portland the Athleta at Brewery Blocks (and I think Althleta’s across the country – check your local store) is hosting a Summer Solstice event on Sunday 6/21 from 9-11am. Join instructor Jasmine Ziska for an invigorating sun salutations class celebrating the beginning of summer. Greenleaf Juicing Company will be in house sampling fresh juices. Since this is a special day for Dads, bring the kiddos and let them have fun at our Father’s day card making station while you take class! We are camping but are planning to stop in to join the fun and have Edith join in the card making.

Once your done celebrating the Summer Solstice at Athleta grab your bike and head across the river to North Portland for the North Sunday Parkways. Enjoy 9.5 miles of care free (except local traffic) bliss as you bike, walk or roller blade around North Portland. Plan to stop for some free ice cream, a concert in the park or a jump in the bouncy castle or maybe a little disc golf or zumba.

If yoga and biking aren’t your thing than just get out and spend some time in nature. You don’t need to live in Portland to do this but if you do why not head to Forest Park and explore the trails? There are so many beautiful trails and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the start of summer. Might I suggest starting at the Audubon Society and heading up the Wildwood Trail to Pittock Mansion for beautiful views and if you time it just right you just might be able to fit in a few sun salutations at 9:39am to ring in the Summer Solstice.

Disclaimer: Athleta provided me with a free top and yoga mat in exchange for sharing their event. I think it’s a great event and was happy to share. All other events are ones I chose to share. I received no compensation for this post.

#WIAW | Camping Edition

June 3, 2015 by Lindsay Ingalls 10 Comments

Sunday Neil and I celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary with a camping trip (with the kids) to the Oregon Coast. We lucked out and were able to get a yurt at Cape Lookout for Sunday and Monday nights. We had beautiful weather on Sunday so we spent most of our time at the beach but Monday was dreary and wet so we explored the coast a bit before heading back to the campground for a hike and a wet walk on the beach. The weather got the best of us in the end as it started pouring just as we started to make dinner and poured all night and morning. Either way we had a great time and I’m so happy we were in a yurt!

Let’s get to the food though because that what this post is all about. These are all of my eats from Monday June 1st while camping at the coast.

Breakfast

For breakfast I started with a mug of coffee and a big bowl of berries. We had planned to do up a scrambled tofu and potatoes but our potatoes didn’t workout from dinner the previous night so we kept things light.

Since I was feeling like I needed just a bit more to eat I broke into my Good Habit Box and Neil and I shared the Forest Berry Oatmeal. This was the first time I had tried anything from my Good Habit Bo and I really loved the oatmeal. There were no added sugars just simply gluten free oats, goji berries and some other dried fruit. I added in some strawberries and it was perfect.

Since it was raining we headed towards Pacific City and Lincoln City to see if we could find anything to do. On the way there Neil and I shared the Rosemary Almonds & Apricots which were pretty good and the Peanuts, Pineapple & Seeds which I think were my favorite of the items in the box because they had a nice sweet and spicy thing going for them. We tried the other two snacks on the way home yesterday.

We stopped for lunch in Lincoln City and I had a veggie burger and fries. It wasn’t anything special but it was still good. After lunch we headed back to the campground to go on a hike and then we walked along the beach in search of crabs. While we walked I munched on a Chia Bar. I picked up the coconut flavor to try and it was pretty good but I have to say the coffee one is still my favorite.

After our hike and beach adventure we were all pretty hungry so we headed back to the campsite and brought out the veggies, vegan onion-dill dip and sparkling water while we got a fire and dinner started.

Just as I was finishing up the potato bundles to go on the fire it started to rain and that rain quickly turned to pouring rain. Thankfully Neil took over dinner and he cooked us up some veggie dogs and tended to the potatoes. Not a too exciting dinner but it was good.

The end.

We are headed out camping again in a few weeks and I’m trying to up my food game – what are your favorite foods to cook or bring with you camping?

Disclaimer: Good Habit Box sent me a free box to try out. I received no compensation for this post. I was not required to write a post or a review. However I liked the box so much I signed up for a subscription after trying it. If you’d like to try out a Good Habit Box you can get 20% off your first box with code REFER20 (this is not an affiliate code).

My First Floating Experience | Float On Portland

May 18, 2015 by Lindsay Ingalls 27 Comments

This past Saturday Neil and I headed to Float On, a sensory deprivation float tank center here in SE Portland, for our very first floating experience. I’ll admit I was pretty excited but I also was feeling pretty anxious as well. The thought of closing myself in a tank, in the dark and just floating there really freaked me out however the benefits which include deep relaxation, stress & pain relief where pretty enticing.

Once we arrived I tried to calm my nerves by reading the Beginners Guide to Floating over and over but after the fifth time I was just making myself more anxious. So I put it down, grabbed a cup of herbal tea (caffeine is not recommended 4-6 hours before floating) and just tried to relax until it was time to float.
Once it was time to float Neil and I were given a little tour of the float rooms. We had rooms 1 and 2– the ocean float rooms which are taller and have a light as well. Neil was lucky and got room #2 the room with the star lights on the ceiling of the tank (see photo below).

Once we were walked through the steps of floating and I realized just how in control of the situation I was I began to feel less anxious. It also helped when I found out the float tank only contained around a foot of water.

Now it’s time to actually float. I put in my ear plugs which transported me back to my childhood when I had tubes and had to wear ear plugs to swim. Anyways moving on.

I showered (check out the lighted shower) and then it was time to hop into the tank. I chose to bring in the neck noodle just in case I wanted to use it to support my neck (and I did).

photo credit http://floathq.com/

I climbed into the tank, closed the door, took a deep breath and turned out the light. I instantly felt super relaxed just floating there. Neil and I both agreed that while floating we felt both heavy and weightless at the same time. Being in the dark wasn’t strange at all, I actually found it completely relaxing and it wasn’t until I started feeling a little stuffy that I really noticed that I was closed in; you really just lose all sense of space. When I started to feel a little stuffy I felt around, grabbed the handle and popped open the door just a crack to let in a whoosh of cool air.

photo credit https://www.facebook.com/floatHQ

So what did I do while I floated? Nothing really. I just floated and I spent some time focusing on my breath. I actually thought that I would spend a lot of time thinking and brainstorming but instead my mind just calmed down and I really didn’t think about much at all. I just completely relaxed. I thought I might fall asleep as well but I didn’t, I just floated there with my eyes wide open until it was time to get out.

As I said above you lose all sense of space (unless you drift towards a wall and touch it) and you also lose all sense of time. I will admit I started to feel a little bit anxious towards the end because my life seems to revolve around the clock. I start my morning trying to help Neil get out of the house in time for work and then the day revolves around nap times and meal times so not knowing how much longer I had made me want to jump out and check my phone -and I almost did. It wasn’t because I wanted to be done but rather because I had no idea how much time had passed. In the end I didn’t jump out to check my phone because seconds later the music came on signaling that my float was over and it was time to get out, shower and be on my way.

The above photo is a perfect image of blissed out Neil. Seriously we both left in a positive state of mind. We were relaxed and just felt absolutely amazing.

Would I float again? YES! I would definitely float again and I think that the next time I will most likely be even more relaxed because all of those (silly) little anxieties I had won’t be there. I think knowing that I could get out of the tank whenever I felt the need (ie. just feeling uneasy, needing to go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, ect.) really made me feel in control and okay to do the float. Once I actually started the float I was kicking myself for not trying it sooner, especially when I was pregnant. I mean seriously what could be better than essentially feeling weightless while pregnant. Plus I truly believe water is a magical thing that just makes life better.

After floating I was thinking about how often I turn to water for therapeutic reasons for myself. I take a shower when I am feeling anxious or frustrated or a bath when I am feeling sore or just need to relax. I give the kids a bath or we do some sort of water play when they are cranky. So really floating is just another level of these things and when I think about it that way it makes so much sense to me why people love to do it.

Have you ever tried floating? Would you like to?

*Disclaimer: Float On provided Neil and I with free floats. I was not required to write a positive review and I received no compensation for this post.

Fun In The Sun At The Oregon Coast Plus Tips To Protect Against Harmful UV Exposure

May 11, 2015 by Lindsay Ingalls 1 Comment

This past weekend we packed ourselves up and headed west to the Oregon Coast. This trip was a bit last minute but we ended up finding a great rental in Arch Cape just half way between Cannon Beach and Manzanita. The beach house was located just one block from the beach so it was a perfect location for us. Of course as soon as we arrived and unpacked the groceries we had to head to the beach so we did a quick outfit change on the kids and headed down to play in the sand and sunshine.

It was a bit windy but we had a great time.

I’ll be sharing a more detailed post from our weekend over on Naturally Family but first I wanted to share Edith and Alder’s outfits.

Edith’s top (bottom’s I purchased from REI) and Alder’s outfit are both from Coolibar – aren’t they super cute? Both are not only great for splashing in the waves at the beach but also for protecting their skin from harmful UV radiation. I loved that Alder’s little romper also had snaps along the legs for easy diaper changes when necessary. The kids both seemed to be comfortable in the outfits and I loved how soft the fabric is against their skin. Alder’s growing so quickly though that it looks like we will be needing to buy him a size up very soon since we plan to spend many weekends at the coast and by our community pool.

What did you do this weekend? Anything fun for Mother’s Day?

Coolibar’s Tips For Outdoor Enthusiasts to Stay Protected From Harmful UV Radiation:

Wear lightweight moisture wicking sun-protective clothing. T-shirts are NOT adequate protection against UV rays. Along with the UPF 50+ rating in your clothing, it¹s important to wear moisture wicking clothing so you don¹t overheat.
A wide-brim hat is a must for golfers, walkers and spectators and provides extra coverage to the neck and shoulders, areas that often get more sun exposure. Every inch of hat brim can lower your lifetime risk of skin cancer by 10%. For runners, choose lightweight hats that cover the top of the head and neck.
When possible, avoid outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun¹s UV radiation is most intense.
Keep sunscreen and a hat in your sports/gym bag so they are always available. Use a golf umbrella for shade when walking or waiting.
Remember to reapply your sunscreen every every two hours, or more often if sweating or swimming. Use sport sunscreen so it doesn’t run and irritate your eyes.
Wear sunglasses. In addition to protecting eyes from UV exposure, another cancer risk, the right sunglasses offer impact protection, and reduce reflection on the road, field or course.

About Coolibar

Coolibar, based in Minneapolis, the company was founded in 2001 to bring Australia¹s world-leading approaches to sun protection to the America. Coolibar is dedicated to the highest quality sun protective clothing, hats and accessories and guarantees UPF 50+ ratings for the life of their garments. Each garment is developed with sun protection as the number one priority with a full line of proprietary SUNTECT® fabrics. Coolibar has been recognized by the Skin Cancer Foundation, the American Academy of Dermatology and the Melanoma International Foundation for effective sun protection. For information about Coolibar, go towww.coolibar.com or follow them on Facebook Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Disclaimer: This post contains no sponsored content. Occasionally I am sent products for review/feature but they will only be featured if I truly like them and would purchase myself in the future.

Hiking | Oregon | Elowah Falls

January 28, 2015 by Lindsay Ingalls 11 Comments

We made it for our first hike of 2015 this past weekend. We took advantage of the mild weather and headed to the Columbia River Gorge to do a little hiking at Elowah Falls. This has been on my hiking bucket list for awhile and the falls did not disappoint. Edith insisted on hiking for a good portion of it and she just couldn’t get enough. It is so fun to take our workout outside as a family and really take in the beautiful sites so close to us.

Hood to Coast & belVita Prep You for a Morning Run! | +Giveaway

August 15, 2014 by Lindsay Ingalls 12 Comments

I still can’t believe that I am a mom of two and that at 15 days postpartum I am feeling pretty good, especially compared to how I felt at 15 days postpartum with Edith. We have had a busy two weeks and I have shared our first week over on Naturally Family. This week has been just as busy especially now that I am finally feeling up to doing a little bit more moving around, oh yeah and we are moving tomorrow. Don’t worry though I won’t be doing any of the actually moving we have a wonderful group of friends who are going to help us move out and into our new place which is luckily not too far away.

One thing I have learned over the past two weeks is that starting my morning off with a nutritious breakfast is essential. Having two kids is no joke a huge life change and I need to have steady energy in the morning to make it through the day. I know it’s going to be even more important when I am finally cleared to get back to working out and running.

Edith and I have been enjoying coconut, soy or almond milk yogurt with belVita Breakfast Biscuits most mornings and Neil has been enjoying the biscuits as a midmorning snack. These are seriously tasty! The big claim with belVita Breakfast Biscuits is that they provide nutritious steady energy all morning long and you know what I am here to say it’s true! I was skeptical at first but paired with a non-dairy yogurt (or dairy if that’s your thing) and a piece of fruit they are perfect for long lasting energy. As any mom will tell you energy is a must to make it through until lunch and/or naptime – seriously how do toddlers have so much energy?

A few other tidbits about belVita Breakfast Biscuits:

─ 18-20g of delicious whole grain per serving

─ Good source of fiber (3g per serving)

─ Part of a balanced breakfast with fruit and low-fat dairy

─ Crunchy belVita Breakfast Biscuits are available in five flavors including my favorites Blueberry and Golden Oat.

Having (lots) of steady energy throughout the morning and day is going to be essential for me to make sure that I fit my workouts in while taking care of two kids and a house. I want to be a healthy, active and inspiring mom though so I know making time for me is important. My own happiness and my kids inspire me to achieve my goals for the day especially my goals to be active and healthy.

Are you an Oregon local? Hood to Coast (a race on my bucket list) is coming up August 22-23rd and belVita is the breakfast sponsor! belVita will be providing samples of the crunchy biscuits to runners and spectators so head on out and cheer on the amazing runners and pick up your own sample of belVita.

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit belVita on their social networks and website: Twitter: @belVita | Facebook: facebook.com/belVita | Website: belvitabreakfast.com

Disclaimer: I was provided with the same giveaway package from belVita in exchange for this post. As always all opinions are my own.

Naturally Lindsay

Oregon