I’m really taking this whole “fly by the seat of your pants” thing seriously!
I heart trains better than planes.
This weekend, I headed an hour north of the city to hang out with a friend and get in a little relaxation time. It was an hour away, but between the spectacular views of the Hudson River and the endless rolling hills, it felt like I was worlds away from the concrete jungle.
During the weekend, I didn’t so much as look at a computer. I barely even picked up my phone!
I was too busy going for a hike in the hills.
You won't find this in NYC
Playing fetch with dogs.
Pretty fall leaves and a pretty dog...this is my kind of place.
Eating lots of ice cream.
I didn't take a picture of my ice cream. Sometimes it's weird to take pictures of your ice cream in front of people. So enjoy this picture of a dog eating ice cream instead.
And even getting in a little bit of necessary bonding time with this old thing.
Oh hello old friend! It was another couch...but same concept 😉
Sometimes a girl needs to rekindle that friendship with the couch monster.
And, sometimes we all need to unplug and unwind.
I realize consistency is such an important part of blogging, but I also know that when I started the Sometimes Healthy Living Blog, I never wanted it to feel like a chore. Likely, if I interrupted my hike to type about it or even cut short my time throwing a stick to that dog, I probably would have resented the blog. And to me, it’s not worth it. At the same time, I do want to establish some sort of consistent schedule. I’m workin’ on it…
A Cupcake Monday Emergency
With all of this activity, I didn’t have any time to do my typical Sunday night baking. How could I let down my nearest and dearest coworkers, who have come to expect cupcake action every Cupcake Monday? I had already deprived them a couple of Mondays, due to my travel schedule, so I felt the cupcakes were a necessity this Monday. Therefore, I did what anyone does when they’re short on time but need to deliver the goods.
I bought them.
Buying is just as good as baking. It's the thought that counts.
Never be ashamed of baking semi-homemade and never, ever be ashamed of going store-bought. We’re busy people – baking isn’t always an option. My wise mother taught me this from an early age.
Of course, I went to my home away from home – Crumbs.
#ilovethisplace
Next to Dylan’s Candy Bar, 16 Handles and the gym this place ranks up there in the top as one of my “happy places” in NYC.
Doesn’t hurt that it’s around the corner from my office either.
Just look at this adorable little cupcake (I got the mini ones – the big guys can be too intimidating for a Monday morning). I would have thought that these things would disappear like hot cakes.
Cupcakes and Candy Corn - these must fly off the shelves!
However, shockingly, despite the fact that Anjelica triple-fisted the mini Crumbs cupcakes, at the end of the day, there were still 8 mini-cupcakes remaining.
Three cupcakes in one bite? She's a rebel.
I was thrilled! My semi-homemade cupcakes always disappear right away…Could it be that my coworkers prefer my healthified baking to legitimate bakery cupcakes??
There are never leftovers of my semi-homemade treats. I am special...and my desk is messy.
This means I’ll have to make up for the store-bought slip-up next week with something special. Stay tuned!
Contests Are Fun!
It’s not often that I discuss my work in the Sometimes Healthy Living Blog. Yes, I talk about making cupcakes FOR my office, but I never actually discuss the working aspect.
Believe it or not, between all the sweet treats, there’s a whole lot of hard work going on.
We work hard and drink coffee. Sometimes, we forget to do our hair.
That’s why I’m really excited that some of the items I’m working on right now actually fit my little blog like a glove.
Two of my clients are having contests that I think you all might find a little interesting. And, while I cannot enter, you, my lucky friends can and should enter. Here’s the first contest:
Sonicare’s Make a Switch Contest
Yes, that’s right my friends, I do public relations for the one-and-only Sonicare toothbrush. If you have one, I’ll bet you love it. I have one. I love it. And I’m not drinking my client’s “kool-aid.” They’re an oral healthcare company – they wouldn’t have kool-aid anyway…because it stains your teeth.
I don't drink the Kool-Aid.
They recently released AirFloss, a breakthrough power flossing device that makes it easier to clean in-between teeth. Basically, this little piece of flossing magic uses a rapid burst of air and water droplets, to push plaque and bacteria from in between teeth, removing up to 99 percent more plaque than brushing with a manual toothbrush alone.
Do you believe in magic?
That’s pretty cool.
Sonicare also commissioned a study which found that 50% of Americans out there don’t floss as much as they should. So, to all of you “Foe Flossers” out there, a SWITCH as simple as adding AirFloss to your nightly oral healthcare routine just make a big difference in your gum health.
These people are smiling because they used the AirFloss.
Thus, the Philips Sonicare Make a Switch Contest.
It’s very simple. Sonicare is asking you to submit a story to their Facebook Page, either via a short video or picture, about a small but impactful change you’ve made that has made you a healthier and happier person. The winner gets a VIP trip to LA which will include:
- Round-trip airfare and a two-night stay at a luxury hotel
- Free ZOOM teeth whitening for two at the offices of Dr. Bill Dorfman, Dentist to the Stars
- NEW Sonicare AirFloss and DiamondClean products
Ch-ch-ch-Chaaaanges
As healthy living people, we’re the first to proclaim how just one small change can make a big difference in overall health and happiness. Whether it’s diversifying our workouts to include one extra spinning class a week or sneaking healthy ingredients (like chia seeds) into our baked goods (and then forcing coworkers to try them), we’re the people that are making those small changes on a daily basis.
One small change to stay in shape while working late - do tricep dips in the office. No one's there anyway 😉
And then we write about them. And then we comment about them. And then we ask other people about small changes that they’ve made. And then we implement those changes. And then we write about our experience implementing someone else’s changes, take pictures, comment and discuss. And the cycle keeps going and going and going.
Yep, us healthy living bloggers loooove to make ch-ch-chaaanges. But we’re very lucky to have such a great network to tap into and a forum to discuss all of these things. So, that’s why I think this contest is quite perfect for this group of people, and that’s why I encourage you to enter.
Just go to the contest page on Philips Sonicare’s Facebook Page and upload a video or picture about your small change. It’s so easy, even your parents (who are on Facebook but you wish were not on Facebook) can enter.
As a member of the PR team, I obviously cannot enter. However, just for fun, here’s a list of some small, yet highly effective changes this Sometimes Healthy Girl has made that have certainly made me a happier person:
I SWITCHED from the mega-sized tub at 16 Handles to the normal size.
The Mega Sized makes you stick out in a crowd...
This made me feel much better because I no longer received weird looks at my “happy place” as the only person in the entire shop to fill up the mega size. It’s nice to feel comfortable in your happy place. Oh, and you know, it’s generally good to eat an actual meal for dinner, rather than Cake Batter yogurt topped with Fruity Pebbles and Captain Crunch.
I stopped lusting after the donuts at Dunkin Donuts during my morning coffee run and made my own healthified version.
Healthified Donuts. What a concept!
Every morning, my bff behind the DD counter asks me if I want a donut with my coffee, and every morning, I feel bad saying no. In truth, I DO want that donut – I just don’t want to start my day off with sugary, fried dough. That’s just too UNhealthy for me. Now, thanks to a $10 donut pan from the Triple B and some creative recipes, I can eat donuts whenever I want and not feel guilty. Avoiding depriving myself through healthier recipes = healthy switch.
I decided to workout during the mornings at the gym by my work.
Crowded subways are an UNhealthy way to start my day.
It’s not that I hadn’t worked out before in the morning, but sometimes I’d run by my apartment, and many times I’d just wait until after work. Then, I realized, I could not only get my workout out of the way, but also avoid a sweaty, crowded subway ride during rush hour by going to the gym by my office early. That to me made the 6 AM workout call totally worth it. Plus, my nights are now open to bake donuts and go on frozen yogurt/candy shop dates with my friends.
There ya have it – a few of my small, but impactful healthy switches. Nothing earth-shattering here, but that’s the point.
Now, it’s your turn!
This time, rather than comment about your healthy switches in MY comments section, head on over to Philips Sonicare’s Facebook Page and share your story in the contest!
Let me know if you have any problems with the submission process – I look forward to reading your entries!
I will – even though I never floss. Such a bad dental patient.
That’s okay. At least 50% of Americans (plus those that “fib” on surveys) are in the same boat as you 🙂
I love working out in the morning before work. I feel like it gives me extra energy and I feel like I am already ahead of the game!
I also don’t always floss..bad, bad me haha
What a great post Jamie… I always enjoy reading yours, I can tel how much work you put into them and your effort always pays off! I have been to 16 Handles and Dylan’s Candy bar, but never that cupcake shop! Musttt when I go back to NYC, I like that those are mini 🙂 And how flattering that your coworkers liked your healthier versions more! I guess you just have to keep on making them 🙂
Thanks for the info about this healthy changes idea and good job on yours!
Thanks Tessa! It always means to much to me when you say such nice things 🙂 You must hit up Crumbs next time you’re here. We can meet up there!
Wow! Those cupcakes would have been gone in an instant in my office. Whenever someone emails about bringing in something, if you aren’t there within literally 10 minutes the thing is gone. Sometimes it’s gone even quicker!
Morning workouts are totally the way to go for me…I HATE working out at night! And those cupcakes look pretty tasty (although I’m sure not as tasty as your homemade ones). I love the small change idea…so true!
Definitely! If you’ve got some good ones, you should enter the contest!
I love working out in the morning, but hubby doesn’t. Not that we couldn’t work out alone…..but it’s more motivating to have a buddy, especially for him. If I’m sitting on the couch after dinner while he excercises I could see that bothering him. It’s hard!
Yes, agreed – workout buddies are nice. Compromise is the best solution 🙂