How tough is Race Junkie Tutu?

  I get a lot of questions from customers asking if my tutus are built to last. Will they last the entire distance of 13.1 miles? Can they withstand a little rain? Can you wash them and wear them again?
Will they interfere  with running? Will they limit my ability to move with ease and enjoy myself or will they completely overwhelm me and distract me from the race? These are all legitimate concerns and no matter how many pictures I show of me wearing them at races or write out my own testimonial nothing will ever compare to the testimonial and pictures for long time customer Patty.

  Patty has been a Race Junkie customer since I opened my shop and first came to me to design a tutu to match her Spartan shirt and colors. I remember thinking at the time .." Wow that Spartan looks pretty hard" I had no idea she did so many races and that basically that was all she ever did. You really have to be one tough cookie to dedicate yourself to Spartan. The race she was doing at the time was partially at night, appeared to be underground and in the snow.

  She has taken the tutus through mud, in the water, on a bike over ropes and obstacle courses. One of the things she said to me that really struck me is that she has taken them over obstacle courses and seen people collapse all around her but the tutus made it!

 

 Patty loves tutus but don't think for one minute she just wears it and then tosses it. Oh no she wears them, washes them and wears them again and again. Each tutu comes with wash and care instructions and and she really makes them last.

She has even converted her friends and family to start wearing them. Let's face it tutus make every event more fun! It's not like you can wear to the office but you sure can to a sporting event so why not? If Patty can crawl in the mud, ride a bike and hang from ropes in a tutu anyone can run a long distance race in one. 

Here is what Patty had to say in her own words...

"I've now wore your tutus swimming, biking, through all sorts of mud, crawling under barb-wire and leaping threw fire and they have all held up incredibly well. I've now converted my sister into a tutu wearer.  Anyway, I am always impressed with out well the tutus make it through races; I've been able to wear the same tutus to multiple races and ones I'm running certainly put the tutus to the test. I also find myself running a little stronger down the trail or putting a little more oomph into an obstacle after every "nice tutu" comment I get."

I would like to thank Patty for sending in her pictures and testimonial. She has been such an awesome customer and so much fun to work with and design for. I live my secret Spartan identity vicariously through her ad someday hope to be as brave as she is.

Motivational Monday: Running IS Awesome

Fit Foods Friday: Spinach Salad

Do you love spinach as much as I do?

Probably not.

I love, I mean LOVE spinach!

I love using spinach chopped up as a base for a salad and even though Thanksgiving is all about stuffing and turkey I insist on having a salad on the table. Here is my go to favorite spinach salad for the fall. I have eaten this salad with a basic balsamic dressing but it is also super YUM with a ff french dressing as well.

Favorite Fall Spinach Salad

3 cups of torn fresh spinach leaves

1 chopped red bell pepper

1/4 cup drained canned garbanzo beans

* (sometimes I like to add fresh mushroom or red onion too) *

Toss all ingredients and dress however you like. 

There you have it. Super easy salad to throw together for your Thanksgiving feast!

Motivational Monday: Courage

Fit Foods Friday: Broccoli Casserole

Now that it is November, I am excited to share with you all some of my favorite low fat lower calorie Thanksgiving recipes.

Broccoli Casserole
ingredients
1 1/2 cups shredded non fat cheddar cheese
2 10 0z pkgs. frozen chopped broccoli (thaw and drain)
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 3/4 cups non fat cottage cheese
1/3 cup fat free egg substitute
2 Tablespoons flour
salt and pepper to taste

directions
Combine 1 cup of the cheese and all other ingredients in a bowl and stir to mix well.
Coat a large casserole dish with cooking spray of choice.
Place broccoli mixture in dish and top with remaining cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes.

Per 2/3 cup serving you are under 70 calories and less than 1 gram of fat!!!

Fit Foods Friday: Pumpkin Smoothie

Ending our month long pumpkin theme with one of my favorite fall recipes...

PUMPKIN SMOOTHIE
1 cup plain greek yogurt
1/3 cup canned pumpkin 
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 tsp splenda
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 frozen banana (or about 6 ice cubes)

Place all ingredients in a blender and and blend until creamy and smooth.

Motivational Monday: Too busy to run?

Fit Foods Friday: Pumpkin Vanilla Protein Cookies

More PUMPKIN!!!!!!

Pumpkin Vanilla Protein Cookies

ingredients
1 cup greek yogurt
6 egg whites
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp vanilla
1.25 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup pumpkin
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup oat flour
1 level scoop vanilla protein powder

directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together protein powder and flours in one bowl.
Mix all ingredients in another bowl.
Combine all ingredients carefully, do not over stir.
Spoon on to cookie sheet.
Bake 12 minutes.

(this is the kind of canned pumpkin I use for all my recipes)

Fit Foods Friday: Pumpkin Spice Bread

Another October Friday
Another Pumpkin themed recipe for you...


Pumpkin Spice Bread

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brow sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons orange juice
1/2 cup mashed cooked or canned pumpkin
1 egg white

optional add ins
dried cranberries
pecans
chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice and stir well. Add the juice, pumpkin, and egg white. Stir until moistened. Fold in any add in ingredients if desired. Coat a loaf pan with cooking spray and spread the batter in the pan. Cook for 45 min or until center is done. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 min before slicing. ENJOY!!!

Serves 16 slices
Contains 78 calories per slice and less than .5 gram of fat per slice. (stats go up with add ins)

Motivational Monday: RUN

Fit Foods Friday: Pumpkin Spice Breakfast Pancakes

Since fall is in the air and October just really reminds me of any and everything pumpkin, I have decided to share some pumpkin recipes this month.

First up is one of my very favorite go to breakfasts. It is a quick and easy way to get breakfast in with a great balance of nutrients to get you through your run.

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

Ingredients

2 eggs

1 ripe medium banana

dash of pumpkin pie spice

Directions

1. Mash banana and beat in eggs with a fork. Add your pumpkin pie spice. I have also used my blender for this step but it is not necessary and I prefer a lumpier more dense hot cake so I do this step by hand.

2. Heat griddle over low heat, spray with a non-stick spray or coat with coconut oil, then pour batter onto griddle in small circles like you would make any other type of pancake. Make sure to keep these pancakes a little smaller than normal or they will break when flipping. When the edges start to crisp they are ready to flip.

I love to add almond butter and a little sugar free syrup to these before eating. This recipe will make one serving of about 4 pancakes. You could always top with your favorite fruit or some ground flax as well.

October Tutu of the Month

October is NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS month.

Race Junkie has a special Tutu to honor the great cause...

So this month only purchase this TUTU for the special price of $31.95.

Order at our etsy store today!!!

Halloween themed Tutus

Halloween themed tutus and tanks are available now over at the Race Junkie Etsy shop. Order early so you get your favorite design in time. 

October is a very busy month for Race Junkie so do not hesitate, order today!!!

Motivational Monday: CHANGE

Did running change you or help you find yourself???

Fit Foods Friday: Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin

FALL is in the air and I love the veggies that are plentiful this time of year. I always grab a spaghetti squash or two the first week I see them fresh and available. I have been pinning fall recipes for some time now and this one is AMAZING! I changed it up a bit to add some protein and it is delicious!

Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin
1 spaghetti squash cooked and shredded
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup plain ff greek yogurt
1 cup ff shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon minced onion

If you need directions on cooking and shredding your spaghetti squash, follow my directions from a previous recipe post seen HERE.

Mix all ingredients reserving 1/2 of shredded cheddar to sprinkle on top. Pile into a pyrex baking dish and top with remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 25 min. Take foil off and continue baking 5-10 more minutes.

So yummy!
HAPPY FALL!!!!!

October Order Changes

October is one of our busiest months at Race Junkie. Lots of upcoming Halloween themed runs as well as lots of non-runners ordering our tutus for great costumes. 

Because of the amount of orders we are anticipating we will NOT be processing any rush orders October 1-31. 

Order turn around will be 10 days plus 2-3 days for priority shipping. 

PLEASE order your items early so you will have them on time.

Motivational Monday: TO DO LIST

It is MONDAY...

What is on YOUR TO DO list today?!?!?!?

NEW ordering instructions...

A few things have changed over at our Race Junkie etsy shop.

Ordering and selecting your size has become a bit simpler!

Here is how size selecting may look when ordering your tutu...

First select the item you want to order.
You will notice SELECT A SIZE option to the right of your item.

 When you click SELECT A SIZE a window like this will pop up.

You can then select the size you wish to order.

 Depending on the type of computer you have your SELECT A SIZE may look like this.

It will either look like a pop up window or a scroll down menu.

Some extended sizing options have additional charges.

If they do, you will notice a price difference next to that size like shown here.

As always, if you are in need of a size you do not see you can always send me a message to inquire about a custom order that will best fit your needs.

Motivational Monday: Regrets

Have you EVER regret a run?

I doubt it!

Cross Training: Elliptical Trainer

Love the Elliptical Trainer for another form of cross training. This machine can really keep your heart rate elevated while not having the pounding on your knees and joints. This is an excellent form of cardio for sure very similar to running or walking on a treadmill but without lifting your feet. 

1. Total Body Workout
     Not only are you working out your legs, quads, calves, hamstrings, and glutes but your arms too. Elliptical machines have those great poles that you pull on and WOW have I felt some muscle fatigue after a session on this machine. Love the arm burn it offers. The upright posture you are forced to use also utilizes all of your core muscles which are muscles that are often ignored.

2. Very Low Impact
     Your feet never have to leave those pedals so there is essentially no hard impact on your knees, hips, back or any other joints. This can be very beneficial for a runner recovering from an injury as well. The wear and tear running causes on your joints will not happen on an elliptical. Having very little stress on your body will also prevent injury on your cross training days.

3. Great Cardio
     Well conditioned runners can do 30-45 min on an elliptical machine without ever running out of breath. It is easier on your body than actually running so you are able to build your endurance on this machine.

Motivational Monday: Believe

Fit Foods Friday: Chickpea & Avocado Mash

This recipe is amazing because it features two of my very favorite things to eat....

AVOCADO

&

CHICKPEAS

Chickpea & Avocado Mash
Ingredients
1 15 oz can chickpeas
1 large ripe avocado
1/4 c fresh copped cilantro
1 chopped green onion
Juice from 1 small lime

Directions
Rinse and drain the chickpeas. 
In a medium bowl mash the chickpeas and avocado together with a fork.  
Mix in cilantro, green onion, and lime juice. 


My favorite way to eat this is to toast up a whole wheat thin bun and spread it on to make a Chickpea & Avocado Mash open face sandwich. It is also super delicious as a dip for veggies or pita chips.

Halloween Tutus

Never too early to start thinking about those Halloween themed runs.

Here are some of our October favorites to inspire you.

Motivational Monday