shamrock shakin' giveaway + a worthy cause

Wanna hear something crazy?!

On this day back in 1984, I was supposed to make my grand entrance into this world.

Needless to say, I was fashionably late to my own due date.

Shawn would probably tell you that explains a lot.

But he has red hair and can't be trusted.

So how did you spend your bonus day of 2012?

I spent part of my day cheesin' about what's coming next.

A GIVEAWAY!

And it's perfect for St. Patrick's Day, plus it's for a good cause!

I mean, just look at this:

Would you look at that?!

Look again.

Is that a dancing green Grimace?

Why, yes. Yes it is.

And, you could be shamrock shaking your money maker in this awesome t-shirt for St. Patrick's Day!

Did you know that this month Ronald McDonal House Charities of Central Ohio is celebrating their 30th anniversary of serving children and families in need?

To celebrate, McDonald's restaurants in Central Ohio are introducing a one-of-a-kind, limited-edition, vintage-inspired t-shirt that pays homage to the iconic, limited-time Shamrock Shake.

Have you gotten had a shamrock shake yet?

I cannot wait to get one!

Did you know that $.25 from each Shamrock Shake sold in Central Ohio will benefit the local Ronald McDonald House.

In partnership with Skreened, 30% from each sale of the "Do the Shamrock Shake" tee or hoodie will benefit the RMHC of Central Ohio.

So, let's all do the Shamrock Shake and support some kiddos!

My aunt has worked for the Ronald McDonald House Charities in South and North Carolina for years, and it's just a wonderful cause to get behind.

Now, here's how you can enter to win your very own "Do the Shamrock Shake" t-shirt:

Mandatory:

• Be a follower of RIS via GFC

Extras:

• Follow @RMHCofCentralOH on Twitter (+1)
• Follow @runinstilettos on Twitter (+1)
• Like Running in Stilettos Blog on Facebook (+1)
• Tweet about this giveaway (+1)
• Buy at Shamrock Shake at McDonald's and let me know you did (+2)
• Buy a "Do the Shamrock Shake" t-shirt from Skreened (+10)

Leave a separate comment for each :)
Giveaway ends Thursday, March 8.
Winner will be announced Friday, March 9!

Good luck, sweets!

eat yourself healthy part 2: what do bananas and cows have in common?

The answer: Absolutely nothing.

Just wanted to get your attention.

But now that you're here, I wanted to share a little of what I learned from the Giant Eagle registered dietitian about fruits and dairy in a healthy diet.

Remember, MyPlate?

Well, it's the new food pyramid and it rocks my socks.

I love being able to see how much of eat food group I should include in each meal.

Notice the small portions of fruits and diary?

Let's talk bananas and cows.

Fruits

I love fruit.

Like L.O.V.E. them.

It must be the natural sugar rush.

The RD suggested including one serving of fruit in every meal to increase your fruit intake:

Breakfast: berries or banana in cold or hot cereal; toast with peanut butter and banana; berries in plain Greek yogurt with honey; or a fruit smoothie.

Lunch: whole fruit or turkey and apple butter sandwiches

Dinner: grilled fruit skewers or roasted stone fruit with balsamic vinegar

Snacks: apple slices with peanut butter or whole fruit with cheese or crackers

Fruits provide natural sugars which are much better for you than any processed, sugary snack.

So put down the cookies and grab a banana, yo!

Here are some fruit facts from ChooseMyPlate.gov:

• Any fruit or 100% fruit juice is part of the fruit food group. Fruits can be fresh, canned, frozen or dried.
• The amount of fruit you need depends on your age, sex and level of physical activity {for my lady friends: women 19-30 need 2 cups per day; women 31-50 need 1.5 cups per day}. See the chart.
• So what's considered a cup? There's a chart for that too.
• They contain underconsumed nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, dietary fiber and folic acid and so much more!
• They are low in fat, sodium and calories and have no cholesterol.

However, the RD suggested that if you're trying to lose weight, that you substitute on serving of fruits each day with vegetables.

Diary

Here's a fun fact.

I'm lactose intolerant.

What does that mean?

Diary products like milk, cheese, ice cream and yogurt send me running dead sprinting to the bathroom mid-consumption if I don't take medicine to help me digest them.

God bless, Lactaid. Or the much cheaper Meijer brand.

Anywhoodle.

The RD said that you should be consuming about three servings, or 1,000 mg of calcium, per day.

Ladies 19-30 and 31-50 need 3 cups a day. See the chart.

And here are the serving sizes that count as cups.

Here are a few ways to get the recommended diary amount:

• 1 ounce of cheese (reduced or low fat) added to cooked veggies, pasta or meat
• cheese stick (reduced or low fat) for snack
• low fat (1%) or fat free milk or soy milk. If you prefer almond or rice milk, make sure it says fortified; however, it still doesn't count as a protein.
• 8 ounces of  yogurt. Greek yogurt has more protein, but be aware of added sugars.

Foods like cream cheese, cream and butter are not part of this food group as they provided little or no calcium.

But did you know that dark, leafy greens like spinach can be a substitute for milk?!

Which is perfect for those of us who are lactose intolerant or just aren't huge fans of gulping down a glass of milk with our cookies.

Ladies, we especially need our diary to help fight osteoporosis!

And the potassium in diary products, especially yogurt, helps maintain healthy blood pressure.

During the presentation, the RD made us blueberry spinach smoothies.

A little bit of fruit and diary heaven all blended into one.

Mine could have been blended a little longer, considering I was chewing pieces of spinach after each swig, but the taste wasn't bad.

Here, you can make your own:

Blueberry Spinach Smoothie

{perfect for your skin, digestive system, fighting inflammation, and as a post-workout refuel snack!}

• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 cup spinach
• 6 oz plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2-1 cup skim milk (or almond or soy)
• honey, optional

 Blend all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth. Add milk to desired consistency.

Nutrition Facts: calories 269, total fat 1g, cholesterol 5mg, sodium 208mg, total carbs 39g, fiber 5g, sugars 33g, and protein 28g

{posted on ramblingsofanrd.wordpress.com}

Next week it's all about protein and whole grains.

Woo to the Hoo!

I love me some carbs.

let's call a spade, a spade

Where did that expression even come from?

I mean, what else would you call a spade other than a spade?

Let's just forget I even brought it up, and get to the keeping it real part, which is essentially what that phrase means, correct?

And us bloggers are all about keeping it real, am I right?

Note: I did not intend this post to resemble a game of 20 questions, but sometimes these blog posts are finicky little things and have a mind of their own.

Now, let's get back to keeping it real here, shall we?

I swear that's the last question.

As many of you know, Mondays are typically reserved for Make It My Own Monday link ups.

Here's where I keep it real.

This little link up hasn't taken off as I had hoped.

Ya win some, ya lose some.

Even my own co-host has neglected it. Shame on you, Miss Chelsea ;)

So I'm thinking it's time to postpone the link up party until further notice.

Honestly, I am just getting dressed and snapping pictures and then finding an outfit on Pinterest that matches what I wore and calling it my inspiration outfit.

Talk about the cart before the horse.

Which defies the intention of Make It My Own Monday.

No worries, I still plan to MIMO throughout the week {and I hope Chelsea will too!} and share my sweet inspiration and duds with you.
Your sweet comments on my outfits help justify my shopping addiction.
I thank you. My wallet and husband don't.

Let's have a looksee at my attempt at color blocking on Valentine's Day.

First, some color inspiration {yes, I just picked this outfit from my Style board today to match what I wore}:

Source: fancytreehouse.blogspot.com via Holly on Pinterest

Here's what I wore:
{i promise the tank is pink!}

cardigan: Old Navy
ruffle/pleated tank: Old Navy
belt: Forever 21
pants: New York and Co.

What are your thoughts on color blocking?
Ok, that was the last question. Scouts honor.


So, about my shopping addiction I mentioned...
I am giving up shopping for Lent. {thanks for the inspiration, Aly!}
Gasp!
I'm not happy about it either.
I'm anxiously awaiting the withdrawal symptoms to set in any day now.
I expect to experience cold sweats, my wallet to catch on fire, and my husband to break into song and dance.
It's terrifying!
If you know of any SAA {shopping addicts anonymous} support groups I can join, please let me know.
I'm starting to itch.

eat yourself healthy part 1: mind your peas and carrots

As promised, I'm going to share the information I learned about healthy eating last week.

The trainer at the gym in my complex brought in a registered dietitian and wellness coach from Giant Eagle to provide us with information about what and how to eat in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and or lose weight.

And it doesn't include a diet.

Whaaaaat?

While there are some super women that can dominate a diet, many of us just plain suck at them {or maybe that's just me}.

Diets are boring, depriving and typically only provide a quick fix.

Need to lose weight before your wedding? Diet. New year's resolution? Diet. Bikini season coming up? Diet.

I won't argue with you that seeing quick results can be satisfying.

But I think the problem with diets is that they don't teach you how to eat healthy.

The RD said that Weight Watchers is one of the only mainstream diets that does make an effort to teach its participants about healthy eating.

But if you're going to save all your points to eat Chipotle {which is something I would do}, then you're missing the point.

Learning how to eat correctly (and establish a regular fitness routine} to maintain your body or lose weight is the only long-term fix.

And a lifestyle change can be difficult until it becomes habit.

And healthy eating should be a habit, a no brainer.

Remember the food pyramid from elementary school?

It's been replaced.

Meet MyPlate:

This colorful diagram helps you see what your plate should look like at each meal.

This is perfect for us visual learners, and helps put food servings into perspectives.

So let's talk vegetables.

Eat 'em.

Lots of 'em.

Why?

They are low in calories {~25 calories per half cup cooked or 1 cup raw}, include many nutrients and vitamins, and are high in fiber to regulate digestion, lower cholesterol and help you feel full.

Vegetables should be the biggest part of your meal.

At least a quarter, if not half of your plate should be non-starchy vegetables.

The goal is 3-5 servings per day.

Replace fruit at one meal per day with vegetables to help with weight loss, because veggies are lower in calories and sugar.

Here are some ways to get vegetables at each meal:

• Breakfast: veggie omelet or veggies in a smoothie
• Lunch: veggies with dip, veggies on a sandwich, veggies with hummus and pita
• Dinner: roasted veggies, grilled veggies, steamed veggies, veggies in casseroles, soups or stews, veggies on pizza
• Snacks: celery with 2 tbl cream cheese or peanut butter, veggie sticks with 2 tbl hummus, veggie chips, veggies with cheese stick

Of the ways to cook vegetables, all of them except boiling, keeps the nutrients in them.

The RD said that even the frozen veggies in the steamer bags are a great way to cook veggies in the microwave.

Easy peasy.

I have to admit.

I haven't incorporated many more veggies into my diet yet.

Well, it would help if we went to the grocery store.

But it's something I'm working towards.

Because I learned so much, I thought it would be best to not overwhelm you all at once, and break up the information into sections. So over the next four weeks, I will share more healthy eating information every Tuesday.

While some of this information you may already know or seems like common sense, it's nice to have a reminder and maybe learn something new.

Next up: bananas and cows {i.e. fruits and dairy}.

mimo monday + a tatered heart

If you are off work {or school} today honoring the presidents, we cannot be friends until tomorrow.

So in the meantime, it's Make It My Own Monday.

Here's the inspiration:

Source: Uploaded by user via Holly on Pinterest

This is one of the first things I pinned to my style board.
{you can follow me on Pinterest here}
I think I pinned it for the notable stacked arm candy, but it may also explain my obsession with the color camel the past few months.
Though it doesn't do much for my pale skin {which I have been working to remedy regularly with the help of L'Oreal Sublime tan towlettes}, I have been gravitating toward this color subconsciously.
I just love it.
It's a soft, sophisticated color that matches just about anything.

Here's what I wore on a shopping trip this weekend to the Tanger Outlets in Jeffersonville with the hubster and the in-laws:

sweater: Old Navy
jeggings: American Eagle
scarf: Forever 21
boots: UrbanOG

Um, can we talk about that navy and white polka dot scarf?
It's the bees knees.
This outfit really isn't anything special, but I loved it.
I felt great in it, which means I will be wearing it often.
Do you have simple go-to outfits that make you feel amazing?
Keep rockin' 'em, people!
Why mess with a good thing?

Link up with Miss Chelsea and I to show off your sweet Pinterest inspired duds:


 And if you follow me on Instagram {hritter18}, then you may have seen this gem that Shawn slaved all night to make me:

A tater tot heart.
He obviously loves me.

love is...

Love is...

Shoving cake in your new husband's face.

Then making up :)

 Happy Valentine's Day!

Whatever you do, do it with love.

mimo monday + a necessary evil

Aren't Mondays great?

{insert sarcasm}

Every seven days it taunt us with its indisputable evidence that the weekend is officially over.

No wonder it has no friends.

Well, maybe this will make your Monday better.

It's Make It My Own Monday with Miss Chelsea and I!

{insert happy dance/hallelujah chorus}

Here is my inspiration outfit:

Source: pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com via Holly on Pinterest

And here is how I MIMO'd:

I ADORE mixing patterns and anything striped or dotted provides the perfect foundation for a magical mixture of clothing genius.
Thought you should know that before I wore this outfit, the tags were still on this shirt though it's been in my closet for at least six months.
Fail.
But I will be redeeming myself from here on out.
For the sake of this camel and white-striped shirt.

Link up, buttercups!
And show us how you wore your duds last week:



Now, that necessary evil I mentioned?
Going to the gyno.
I am right or am I right?
Once a year, I start a chilly February week off with this annual visit.
This was that week.
Nothing like feeling exposed, vulnerable and violated on a Monday.

I have to say that I think the worst part is sitting there in a paper, two-piece gown trying desperately to keep my goodie bits covered.
Which is challenging when one size DOES NOT fit all.
I had the top wrapped so tightly around me that I think my boobs were peeking out of the arms holes.

But this necessary evil, is also a blessing in disguise.
Remember my breast issue I told you about in October?
Well, my gyno told me to think about getting a second opinion.
Not that she was questioning the radiologist's report or that the mass has changed.
It just hasn't gone away.
She said no test is 100% and it's not normal to have palpable masses in your breast.
Who knew.
So, I am expecting a call later this week to schedule an appointment with a surgeon for a second opinion.
I know, I know it's better safe than sorry.
But it pains me to think what it's going to cost considering I'm still paying off the last $500 breast ultrasound.
But I guess you can't put a price tag on peace of mind, now can you?

Though the peace of mind I thought I paid for the first time is now gone.
Honestly,  the idea of having an appointment with a surgeon caught me off guard and has me a little freaked out.
But it's all going to be fine, right?
As long as the surgeon is a hot.
Yep, it's all going to be fine.

five things you can...{change}

What a scary word for a Friday, right?!

CHANGE.

I may have just lost my mind.

Please let me know if you find it.

Let's talk about that word, CHANGE, for a second.

Just looking at it may cause sweating, shaking, nightmares, or nausea.

Consider yourself warned.

Change can happen whether you plan it or not; whether you're ready for it or not.

And the truth is, I am a proponent of change.

There I said.

Call me crazy.

I like change. 

When it's necessary. When it's done with intention. When it makes something or someone better.

But it doesn't always happen that way.

And I have learned to roll with the punches. To be flexible and adapt. But that's not easy either.

Source: fortheloveofpretty.tumblr.com via C on Pinterest

Another truth.

You cannot hide from change. Or will it from happening.

No matter how much you pray. No matter how far you run, or how well you hide.

It will find you.

Just like a blind squirrel finds a nut.

And while you may feel like you have no control over the things that have changed, are changing or will change in your life. 

I assure you.

There are a few things you have the control to change.

I think that's what makes change so scary.

Our fear of not being in control.

So for all you control freaks, like yours truly, I offer you hope - a new perspective on the things in your life that you can change because you want to. 

The changes you can control.

Here are five things  you can change:

#1. Your Mind

And I mean this in every. single. sense. of the word.

Only YOU live inside your own head.

I know at times it might seem like someone else is in there talking, but rest assured my friends, it's only you in there. Even if you don't recognize your own internal voice.

Every thought, emotion, perspective, attitude that lives in your mind, you can control. And you can change.

Anyone else get chills from just the thought of this?

This might be scarier than change itself.

Source: fuckyeahamazing.tumblr.com via Hilary on Pinterest

In my grad program, one of the biggest things I have learned and am working on with myself, is controlling and changing my emotions and perspectives.

I think about how many times I feel all those negative emotions or have said "that pisses me off."

Guess what? Whatever it is I think pisses me off is wrong. 

The person or thing that I'm mad at didn't in fact make me feel that way.

Though it is easier to point the finger at someone else.

The truth is, I made me feel that way.

Think about that for a second.

How you react to something or someone is completely within your control.

If you don't like how you react to a situation or the negative emotions that you feel sometimes,

You. Can. Change. It.

Mindfulness.

It is not easy to achieve.

It requires being honest with yourself and being willing to see you for who you are - even the ugly parts.

And it means accepting and facing those parts of yourself that you try to hide because changing them is painful and scary.

But sitting with those parts of yourself and checking in with yourself to take inventory of what you do and don't like, and developing a plan to change those things is powerful.

And freeing.

Imagine what your life would be like if you felt free.

You are the only one holding you back.

And you are the only one that can change you.

#2. Your Lifestyle.

Source: fattyfintoskinnyminnie.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Everything about it, folks.

Whether you work out, eat right, any bad habits, anything you don't like about your body, your hair, who you hang out with, what you do on the weekends, what you like and don't like - yep, all of it.

Whatever isn't working for you, you have the power to make a change.

My advice would be to start small and set realistic goals for the changes you want to make.

Change doesn't happen all at once. 

And quite frankly, I think it'd be overwhelming for most of us to change our entire life all at once.

Hell, knowing we are in control of these changes is overwhelming.

But you can do it!

If YOU want to that is.

#3. Your Priorities

You know what's important to you.

What you do and when, and who you associate with is all up to you.

Don't like your weekly schedule?

Change it.

I am the queen of not being able to say no for fear of hurting someone's feelings, but I am slowing learning that there are things I want to do that take priority over other things that I think I should do.

And it's OK to say no.

It's OK to re-prioritize your life even if it's been the same for so long.

You can't worry about what others think you should do or who you should hang out with.

You have to do what's best for you. Always.

People will catch on.

And you'll be happier for it.

Source: tumblr.com via Clara on Pinterest

#4. Your Job

Unfortunately, we spend the majority of our waking hours at work.

And that is all the more reason we shouldn't be miserable in our jobs.

But I know many of us are, and that's sad.

Because guess what?

If you don't like your job, you can change it.

I know, I know this doesn't sound reasonable {remember, I told you I may have lost my mind}.

But think about it.

When the pain of staying in the same awful job is more painful than making the change to a new job, well, then my friends, you have a decision to make.

You don't deserve to be miserable, underappreciated, or overworked.

That student loan debt you're working to pay off is painful enough!

So don't settle because you think staying in this job is easier than looking for or getting a new one.

You deserve to be happy.

So be happy. You may never "work" another day in your life.

#5. Your Life

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via alulea on Pinterest

Making decisions to make changes in multiple, or even one, aspects of your life, will undoubtedly change your life.

It's not always going to be easy.

Frederick Douglass did say, "Without struggle, there can be no progress."

But my hope is that each of us make changes that are necessary, purposeful and make our lives better.

And we all have control over that.

Now, who's more scared of the fact that you have so much control rather than change itself?

Yeah, we are pretty powerful, amazing people.

CHANGE.

If you noticed, I've bolded that word every chance I got in this post. It was intentional.

I hope that seeing it over and over helped you realize that it's not as scary as you think.

Hopefully you stopped sweating and shaking by the end of this post at the mere mention of the word.

I understand that change is never easy. 

And while I am an advocate for positive change, I have struggled with it at times in my life.

And I will continue to do so.

Because you can't be afraid to work for what you want.

You can't be afraid to be in control of your decisions, your emotions, your perspective, your body, your mind, YOUR LIFE.

And don't be afraid to let some change happen on its own. It's going to do it anyway.
Remember, you can't control everything.

So be open and flexible to the possibilities.

Source: tumblr.com via Clara on Pinterest

We like to be in control.

We don't like what we fear.

But sometimes with power comes responsibility.

And I think in this case, you don't get one without the other.

I'm scared too.

I was scared from the time I had my "aha" moment in class while my professor addressed this topic.

I'm scared to make changes I know are necessary in my life.

But I'm also excited about the new opportunities these changes present.

And that keeps me motivated.

it's ok thursday

No time for chit chat, doll faces.

About to jet off to a few hours of classes at the gym.

Yeah, I'm working on my fitness.

You're all my witness{es}.

13.1 miles in May.

A girl has got to get her workout on.

And her winter lbs off.

Anywhoodle.

Link up with Neely and Amber!

On this Friday eve, I'm saying "It's Ok"...

To have started training for the half marathon, but not run yet.

To not use my Old Navy super cash in an act of self control.

To really want to go on a spring shopping spree.

To have enjoyed the quiet in our house while the dogs were on "vacation."

To be really excited about my hair cut on Saturday morning. It's been since August or something like that, people. I am ashamed of my split ends.

To be really tired exhausted for no reason at all. {No, I am not pregnant.}

To not be that into Words With Friends anymore.

To sign up for lots of shopping sites that I will most likely never make a purchase from.

To forgo eye makeup...in public {ahem, at work}.

To have ice cream for lunch.

To want to get Shawn something for Valentine's Day, but have no clue what that something is.
Hell, I'll probably just end up getting him a card. But it's the thought that counts, right?

To resume my dream of wanting to be a back up dancer after seeing Madonna's Super Bowl half time show.

To be out of ideas.

What are you saying "It's OK" to this week?