Things That Make Me Happy

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There are so many things that can make us happy in the world and, today, I wanted to focus on a few of those. With the Miracle Ball coming up and my super stress about this Saturday being the first ever event I have chaired, there are many a thing that I like to think about other than that looming to-do list. Here are a few of them. 

• A sense of humor. Yesterday our bathroom flooded and turned half of our bedroom, closet, and hallway into a nice little in-home pond. It took a bit to see the humor in it, but find it we did. I am so happy that us humans have the ability to take the bad and make it good. I am also thankful for a husband who helps me laugh. 
• The SNL 40th anniversary show. It was the funniest thing ever and the literal definition of happiness. So good, so funny, so many memories. I am really not sure which sketch was my favorite but Wayne's World is pretty high on the list for sure!
• Federated Media and the accidental e-mail chain I got on. If you are a blogger and have any known (or unknown) connection to Federated Media, chances are you know what this is. Pretty much, I blogger thought she wrote an email to one person but sent it to the entire Federated Media email list. There were some pretty big names on that list- I'm looking at you, Damsel in Dior. It was my evening entertainment and the reason for this post. And now, I have about 900 new blogs that simply must be read!
• The most amazing Harry Potter video ever that puts all of the important Snape moments in chronological order. If you are not crying by the end, your heart is made of stone. 
• My new Magic Kingdom Starbucks mug. It is only available at the Starbucks in Magic Kingdom and it is my new love. Oh, and I am compiling a post all about the must-do things at Wilderness Lodge, it should be up later this week or early next- Here is a little teaser below :)

• This yoga video. It is simple, short, and left my buns sore the next day. 
• This dress. It is what I am wearing to the Miracle Ball and I cannot wait until Wednesday when it comes back to me from getting altered. When it got to the store I rushed in without brushing my hair or putting on any make-up. The face and hair will look a bit different Saturday night ;) Also coming Wednesday, the hub's new tux *squeal*

• You! There are so many of you who have read and responded to this little blog over the past few years and I am so happy to have you in my life. Thank you!!! 

What are a few of the things that have made you happy this week? 

The Best Pedometer Apps for iPhone

I have washed, lost, and flushed my FitBit enough to know that something that tiny and able to hide is not a good combination for my forgettable memory. Sigh. As much I love the FitBit, it just does not work for me. That is why I am on a quest to find some of the best fitness tracking apps on the market. Easy, you say? Not so. Turns out that there are very few good fitness tracking apps out there that stay on after the app is not in use and do not eat your battery to an inch of your phone's life by 10 am.

If you have an app other than these that you have found and seriously love. Please, please, please tell me. I am still looking for that holy grail in health monitoring, fitness tracking. That is, until the Apple watch comes out. Then we can forget all of this and wear our health on our sleeve. But, that is a whole 60-90 days away and I seriously doubt all of us who want one will be able to get it day 1.

Pedometer++

As far as turning your phone into a pedometer, the Pedometer++ app has to be my favorite so far. I would love to love Apple's health app but there are days where it will log nothing and days when it is right on the money. Pedometer++ always works. So, a few things I love about Pedometer++ is the pretty interface that has a graph showing your daily steps over the past week, the fact that it imports the correct numbers from Apple Health. Because it is importing from your Health app, it also knows steps, altitude changes, and daily step goals can be changed. This app does not use up tons of battery as well. 

If your Health app already works great, you may not need this. If, however, you would like something simple that shows you results and rewards you for your efforts, this could be the best app yet.

Breeze

Breeze is pretty, simply, and give your a spirit animal depending on your activity. The app tracks the past 7 days and has a great interface to help you see how far your are from reaching your goals. Although it does not show altitude, it does show you your month by month history so you can see how many steps you have walked in a month.

Something interesting that Breeze does is show you your longest activity. This means the longest amount of time your were in movement without stopping and resting. No, it is not necessary, but it sure is fun to look at!

If you do not have an iPhone 6, some other great apps include Moves and Runtastic's Pedometer app. Unfortunately, there are a few bugs that need to be fixed for the iPhone 6 before either can be taken seriously. 

What are some of your favorite fitness tracking apps?

Motivation for Your Monday

Happy Monday! I hope you have some fun plans this Valentine's Day week! If you are still looking for last minute gifts, be sure to check out our gift list for the yogi and the runner in your life. 

As for motivation, this week we are getting back into the motivation for your Monday spirit with this running quote from some unknown runner that I am so happy said something great! Even if you are not a marathoner, half marathoner, or runner at all, this quote can mean something. In life, there are days that we do not know if our goals are attainable, but then, if we are wise, we keep going and we get it. Sure, there will be moments of doubt in any pursuit of any goal. Keep going through that doubt; you will have moments of discomfort, but a lifetime of reward.

Keep going for those goals, aspirations, and dreams. Reach high. I believe in you and know you can get it!

Valentines Day Gifts for The Runner

Running has gotten a bit popular over the past decade- perhaps you have heard it talked of once or twice, or, maybe that running bug has bitten you as well. It sure has got me and, chances are, it has gotten you significant other as well.

If you are in that group of the running elite known as marathoners, half marathoners (I will be soon!!), ultra marathoners, triathletes, and the like, you know there are a few products that life can simply not go on without. Of course, some of those have made it to our Valentines Day list, but some of these are also great gifts that your runner will squeal for joy over, but may not necessarily buy for themselves.

Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS Watch

This is a bit like the 405, if the 405 went on a bit of a diet and got way better at understanding where you are- even in tree cover. I will be getting one of these quite soon and would recommend every other runner or newbie outdoor runner do the same. It has better reviews than any Tom Tom, a large display, and shows you your pace compared to your goal. Too bad it does not come with the HRM strap, that is the only downside. Of course, you could always go a little crazy and buy this one instead :)

Runner's Rule Book

Every runner enjoys reading about other runner's running experiences, right? Well then, your runner will enjoy knowing all those running do's and dont's. Because, no one wants to be a rude runner.

Run The Extra Mile

It is artwork and it is encouraging. This is sure to tick two of the many boxes of the things your runner enjoys! It is also so cute and chalk-like, I just love it and would like one now to put in my office. Yes, that would be perfect.

Compression Leggings

It may not seem romantic, but this says you care about them on a logical level. Compression leggings, sicks, and the like help reduce water retention, muscle soreness by reducing lactic acid build-up, and could actually help you finish that race a little faster!

Dry Shampoo- God's Gift to Women Who Sweat

That is a fact. After he rested a bit on Sunday, he woke up Monday and created this. The. Best. Thing. Ever. Get it for your running buddy, significant other, hot yoga neighbor/instructor, or anyone else because everyone will love this.

Running Chronicles Bib Holder

How cute is this, right?! It holds all your bibs so you can look back and think of all those race memories. I simply love this idea and think it is perfect for any scrap booker or insane memory maker out there.

Chocolate Truffles

Last, but certainly not least is the needed chocolate truffles. I got these for a treat at a recent volunteer meeting and they were a hit! And yes, you do need the giant, 36-count box. Also, chocolate is great for increasing race times, stopping all joint and muscle pain, improving running complexion, and making everything not hurt. Science.