Today was pretty much a standard day in the world of Running Around Normal. Got up at the ushe time of dawn’s butt crack to run and lift, munched on some typical eats that we’ve all seen around here before, did the office thang, trained another client, and watched the same shows. Yada, yada, yada

So instead of telling you all a story you’ve heard before, I thought I’d do a couple natural beauty product reviews!

The other day, I wrote a post addressing my concerns and thoughts about natural/organic beauty products. For me, it boils down to this: if it’s going to stay on my body for more than a few minutes, I prefer it to be natural or organic. For example: lotions, creams, sun screens, deodorant etc. Why? Our skin is an extremely absorbent, and I’m just not too keen of the idea of my skin absorbing the tocopheryl acetate in my regular lotions all day long. If our skin can absorb hormones and nicotine from patches, it can be sure toabsorb aluminum and tocopheryl from skin products.

On to the products!

Side note: I bought all of the following products with my own dinero. None of the company’s sent me these to review.

First up: Nature’s Gate deodorant!

Persimmon and Rose Geranium scented, it’s a solid deodorant that goes on clear. It’s paraben and aluminum free which was most important to me as I picked it out. It’s also vegan – made with no animal by products, and of course not tested on animals.

The verdict? Although I was a little disappointed at the length and pronunciation of ingredients (stearyl-whaa??) I trusted that it was natural, and went with it. The smell was very pleasant, it went on easily, and kept me smelling good and my underarms dry all day! However, when I tested it at the gym, it didn’t fare so well. I was actually a little embarrassed and anxious to take a shower when I tried it out at the gym. I just wanted to get home and shower. Though I figured this would be the case. This deodorant works great all day long – if you don’t plan on running 4 miles Overall I was very impressed!

Next up: Burt’s Bee’s Body Lotion!

Verdict? This lotion is very light for being 99% all natural, and it really sinks into the skin quick. However, it contains mica, which makes it naturally…glittery. That might be cool for every now and then, but for an everyday lotion, I’d rather just have it do its moisturizing job and be done. It’s not overly glittery, though, so I don’t mind. The only other thing? The price. I gave up my pricey lotion and makeup addiction along with shopping at Sephora and the Chanel makeup counters all the time in exchange for a savings account. Although Burt’s Bee’s body lotion won’t break the bank, it is $9 for a mere 6 ounces.

Burt’s Bees Orange Essence Face Wash!

This face wash has a thick, gel-like consistency that’s loaded with all natural, pronounceable ingredients.

I hated this stuff at first. I would wash my face with it, but then couldn’t even tell I washed my face! Only did I realize after two months of owning it, that it works amazingly by applying it to a dry face first, and then massaging it in afterward with damp hands. Love this stuff. It makes my face smell fresh and orangey, and it’s fairly moisturizing and doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils.

Last contender: Nature’s Gate lotion!

I got this at Fresh Market because it was the best deal of all the natural/organic lotions. The smell is just heavenly, and I love how it absorbs quickly into the skin. But like the deodorant, the ingredient list is a little lengthy and hard to pronounce. It is paraben free, though!

I’ll most likely try a different kind when it runs out, but I’ll definitely enjoy it until it’s gone!

Still on the lookout for a natural sunscreen (the ingredients in the chemical types are iffy to me) and a tinted moisturizer! Got any recs?

Sooo excited to sleep in tomorrow. I didn’t sleep well AT ALL last night, and woke up supah early this morning, so this bod could use a couple extra hours! Instead of hitting up the gym in the morning, right after work tomorrow, I’m meeting my friend at the gym for some cardio and a power yoga session! It’s been THREE weeks since I’ve done any baptise power yoga, so hopefully I won’t be too rusty

Have a wonderful Thursday, guys!!

Did everyone enjoy their Tuesday? I sure do hope so!!

I was up and at ‘em at the outrageous hour of 4:45 this morning, and wasn’t happy about it until I had this running through my veins:

Yep..I’ve officially reinstated coffee before my morning workouts. Maca alone just aint cuttin’ it. But that’s not to say I’m cuttin’ it out. Along with my coffee, I had my go to pre-(intense) workout breakkie of half a smashed banana, Barney Butter, cinnamon, and maca mash (for not so intense workouts, I just omit the BB.)

Looks nast, tastes fantast.

Today, that was fuelage for some pretty intense intervals. My training plan called for 7×400’s, which, in my understanding is alternating sprints for 400 meters with a short recovery job in between. Since I was on a treadmill, I jogged a 10 minute warm up, and then did sprints (well, 5k/8:30 pace) of 90 seconds, and a recovery jog at 6.0/10:00 pace for 60 seconds eight times through. I finished it out with a 5 minute cool down jog at a 10:00 pace. Get all that? Either way, I was BEAT, and a sweaty beast. Nevertheless, I still had about 15 minutes until I had to leave, so I joined Heidi on the stair master for the last 15 minutes to make it a completely cardio day.

When I got home, I chugged water like no other, and then made my first iced coffee of the year!

Coffee, ice, SO Delicious Coconut Milk.

The temperature got up in to the 50’s today (60’s tomorrow!! Right on!) so I think iced coffee was quite appropriate.

Then fueled up with my fave breakfast cookie.

1/3 c. oats, 1 T. chia, 1 T. PB2, 1 T. Carob powder, 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1/2 banana, 1/8 c. almond milk, 1 T. almond butter, 1 packet stevia, and 1 T. cocoa nibs – all mixed together and refrigerated over night. Delicious as always. I’m on such a kick!!

Work was fairly busy today, but it sure made the time speed on by! While working away, I munched on an abundance of fruit!

Organic pear

First plum of the season!

And some unpictured strawberries and an apple. Fruitopia!!

For lunch, I tried a new (to me) Amy’s soup!

I did a double take when I saw this coconut soup at Fresh Market. Too bad I didn’t grab two, because this soup’s amazin’!

To complete the meal, I brought along toasted a piece of brown rice flour bread, and added a combo of coconut butter and almond butter on top. Went amaaazingly well with the soup.

Had the night off from training clients (but I did sign another one, wahoo!) so after leaving work and running a couple errands, I was homeward bound!

Niko was practically BEGGING me for a walk when I got home.

You tell me. Can you deny this face?

I sure can’t!!!

Dinner was somewhat of an experiment. I still had leftover southwestern squash sauce from Sunday’s lunch, and wanted to use it with some leftovers. Then it came to me! If it can be pizza sauce…

…it can be pasta sauce!! Or so I thought. It was honestly just mediocre at best. Meh, ya win some ya lose some

Besides, the sides more than made up for it!

Lightly boiled asparagus with an organic honey mustard dressing

Humungo spinach salad topped with white mushrooms, avocado, and red onion tossed in the same honey mustard. Friggin’ delicious. Could have made this double the size and a meal on its own!

All together nah!

Completed with a dark red Shiraz. I moved the whole shebang to the living room promptly after photographing and ate while watching Gossip Girl The hubski was working and I’m just not one for eating alone at the dinner table.

After dinner, we finished season one of 24 and dove straight into season two!! Looks like it’s going to be even more intense than the first one! Jack Bauer is such a badass

Hope everyone has a lovely hump day!

What fresh fruits and veggies are you most looking forward to in the spring season? I can’t wait to eat some BERRIES! Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries – any of them! I go through berry withdrawl from September until March.

I actually had a quite long, but very pleasant one.

TGIR (Thank God it’s Restday.) I got to sleep in this morning and had a nice relaxing time getting ready for work. Included in this relaxing portion of my day was yet another breakfast cookie:

Seriously, best weekday breakfast ever. It’s probably going to get repetitive, so if I don’t post my breakfast, just assume I had one of these delicious bad boys

Work passed by with light speed today! All the sudden and I only had an hour left to go. Not that I’m complainin’

Foodies had throughout the day:

A nomtastic wrap containing spinach, cucumber, a bit of avocado, laughing cow wedge, hummus and some strawbabies.

Plus some unpictured Fresh Market Sweet Sienna trail mix which included raw almonds, walnuts, and pecans, and yogurt covered raisins, and an unpictured tangerine or three

Since I had to leave straight from job #1 to job #2 to train a couple clients, I had a bit of a mini meal before I left the office:

I packed up some Kashi cereal and homemade granola (recipe below) in a container, and then in an insulated bottle some SO Delicious Coconut Milk. Twas delicious and kept me full the whole time I was training my clients

In between clients I had about 20 minutes, so I hopped on the elliptical just to get the blood flowing. The leg workout I did on Sunday really had my booty burning, and it felt good to get some blood to the muscles!

FINALLY got home from my 12+ hour day and it was time to cook up some dinner. I didn’t feel like spending much time on it, so I opened the fridge, and grabbed three ingredients that were sure to go together, whipped up a little no-fail sauce, and heated everything together.

Acorn squash, black beans, and marinated tofu from Sunday night’s dinner in a sauce of rice wine vinegar + maple syrup + tamari. Quick, easy, and tasted damn good doing the job

Then the husband informed me that he brought home THREE boxes of Girl Scout cookies – ALL of them Samoas. I think it’d be illegal not to have some for dessert:

Practiced portion control and just had two. And enjoyed every last bite

Coconut Carob Pecan Granola

Sunday afternoon I tried my hand at making some granola! I’d forgotten to get it at the store, and instead of paying $6 for a bag, I thought I’d wing it, and make some using the ingredients in my pantry.

Ingredients:

2 c. old fashioned rolled oats

¼ c. wheat germ

¼ c. sucanat (or turbinado or brown sugar)

¼ – ½ c. unsweetened shredded coconut

¼ – ½ c. of pecan pieces

1 t. vanilla extract

¼ c. pecan or almond (or any nut) butter

¼ coconut oil

1/3 c. carob chips

¼ c. raisins

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the raisins and carob chips, mix well. Spread out of a large baking sheet, and bake for 40 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring every 10-15 minutes. When done, add in raisins and carob chips, and toss to combine. Prepare to have your taste buds BLOWN away.

Great with yogurt, obviously.

Store in an air tight container for up to two weeks! Perfecto! Now go make it and let me know about it!!

Well I’ve got a sleeping puppy on my lap, and I think she has just the right idea. I’m callin’ it a night, friends. Got a supah early wake up call to hit up the gym with my girl, Heidi. Catch ya’ll on the flipside!