Liebster Award

I've been a bad blogger and haven't shared this with you guys yet. Three weeks ago, Lynette at Life's Better in Yoga Pants (don't you love that name?) included me in her list of eleven bloggers to check out as part of the Liebster Award!

What is the Liebster Award? Essentially, it's a fun way of sharing other growing blogs. Once you receive the "award," you pass it along to eleven other blogs that you like to encourage those who read your blog to check out others. Oh, and it involves a quiz! Have I mentioned I love these kinds of quizzes? They're like tests where I know all the answers. Instant A+. The blogger who gives the award also gives you a list of 11 questions to answer if you choose to participate. Then, after you answer them, you submit 11 questions to those who you nominated if they want to join in.

Blogs
I read and enjoy all of these blogs, several of whom I know in real life and all of whom are awesome.

1. An Interesting Year - Liz writes about running and working out, but a big part of her blog is also trying to do interesting things (um, reading a hard copy book counts as interesting nowadays, let's be honest) and make the most of living in NYC; something I completely relate to and love. She and I still have a nacho date that needs to happen...
2. Lace and Race - Michelle is a Boston qualifier who got me to try spaghetti squash with her super easy to follow guide to making it. In addition to easy, healthy recipes, she's also just a badass runner chick. Who makes awesome cards and stationery.
3. Law, Business, Life - I met Hana when we worked together at our law firm last summer and we'll be permanent co-workers come this fall after we both graduate law school. She's also my workout buddy whenever she's up in NYC because we share a love of trying new fitness classes.
4. Run, Lift, Repeat - Gianna just finished her first marathon in Miami! She and I share a love of cross-training (and delicious food, based on the photos she's included on her blog...). Her attitude toward the marathon was just completely freaking incredible. These are the kinds of runners I love.
5. Meghan's Wanderings - Meghan lives near my hometown and we met up when I was there. She's another Boston qualifier who inspires me with posts like this one where she writes about waking up at 4:45 to get her necessary miles in before a full day of work. 
6. Once in a Mile - Beth is one of those people who epitomizes the awesomeness of runners. She is so incredibly supportive, enthusiastic, and encouraging. And I love her attitude about running! Based on her vision board I saw last week, she should have a pretty exciting year to follow along on her blog.
7. Pawsitively Delightful - Michelle is a runner (on the Lululemon Long Run Club!) who loves dogs. Runner + dog lover = winner, right? She also writes eloquently about surviving long distance with her boyfriend who's in the army. Yup, that's long distance.
8. Peanut Butter and Push Ups - Kim is a registered dietician who I'll be running the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler with in April! She has the BEST attitude (as evidenced by her Walt Disney Half-Marathon Recap), posts helpful healthy eating tips, and has an adorable bulldog named Rocky.
9. Emily Runs - I only recently found Emily's blog but I've really enjoyed reading about her running journey, especially with great posts like why she loves running. Oh and get this: she's running a half-marathon only two weeks after her wedding! I love crazy runners :)
10. Kara Runs - Kara's blog focuses on her running and training, most of which she does raising funds for cancer research and patient support through Team in Training (I met her at the Join the Voices race in December). And this year her training will include a little thing called an Ironman. Yep, Kara is training for the Ironman Lake Placid this year.
11. Fit Mama in the City - Emily is a Southern/Midwestern transplant living with her veteran husband in NYC and raising an adorable baby girl while balancing running and staying fit. I can't lie, I like anyone who shares my love of Friday nights at home watching a movie.

If you're listed here, please email me for your questions if you want to participate!

Questions

1.       Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging so that I wouldn't bother my officemate over the summer. I kept talking about working out, fitness classes, etc. She wasn't a fitness freak like me, so I thought I'd just start blogging about it!

2.       What is your favorite recipe?
Tough! Not sure I have a favorite recipe, honestly, although these Indian vegetables are a great healthy comfort food. The recipe I've gotten the most use out of and completely know by heart is this homemade tomato sauce, replacing the butter with olive oil. So many ways to mix it up and use it.

3.       If you’re not working out you are…

JC (translation: just chillin')

Hanging out or doing reading for class with Sourabh and Mason (our dog). And if it's the weekend, maybe exploring the city... depending on how lazy we're being.

4.       Where is the best place you’ve ever traveled to?
I've been to a lot of places I love, but none is as special to me as London. I spent a month there after my first year of undergrad after receiving a research grant. I lived with my aunt there and researched Anne Boleyn at the British Library five days a week, taking two days off each week to explore the city. I'd never lived in a city before; in fact, I hadn't lived in a place with a population of more than 15,000 before. 

When Sourabh and I went to London for our third anniversary in 2011, I wasn't sure if it'd feel as magical -- I was wrong, it was amazing. Pretty sure London will always have a special place in my wandering traveler heart, despite my love for New York City.

5.       Movie you could watch on repeat?

(source)

I've watched the new Star Trek movie at least six times... (commence mocking). But I'd also add in Avengers. I saw it twice in theaters because it was awesome.

6.       Favorite “pump me up” song?

Question - why is she eating her chain?
(source)

Eminem's "Lose Yourself" or Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger." Also currently loving Diddy's "Coming Home."

7.       What is your favorite fitness magazine?

(source)

Runner's World. It's the only magazine I subscribe to and it gets a special place on my nightstand for pre-bed reading.

8.       What social media platforms do you use to promote your blog?
Twitter, Pinterest, and occasionally Instagram (meaning I promote occasionally; I post a lot on Instagram). I'm contemplating making a Facebook page for my blog, too -- would anyone like that?

9.       What is your go-to drink when you’re out?
Sparkling white wine (prosecco, cava, champagne). I love sparkling-based cocktails, too, although I can't really drink hard alcohol without getting stomach aches unfortunately. Good for my liver, bad for my social life.

10.   Quote that never gets old?
I really love this one:

Because when did a good thing ever happen to anyone just from sitting there waiting??

11.   Item of clothing you can’t live without?
Honestly, it would probably be my sweatpants. Is that terrible? They were $10 at Modell's and I wear them every. single. day. I'd be devastated if I lost them.


So what's the item of clothing you can't live without? What movie could you watch on repeat? And do you have any good pump-up songs to recommend to me??