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A New Addition to the 8th Continent Soymilk Family!

Megan Stremick and her son Charlie

Article by: Megan Stremick

With our son Charlie only a few months shy of his second birthday, we thought it would be a great time to add to our family. We made the announcement of our pregnancy to our immediate families at Christmas dinner which made for an exciting holiday despite my nausea. This will make 10 grandchildren for my parents! Add 10 adults and you have yourself one hell of a party anytime we all get together.

After word got around the office my lovely friend and co-worker Sara Lopez thought it would be a great idea if I shared the news with a blog and started tracking my progress. So please don’t take me sharing this news like I think I’m Kourtney Kardashian and you’ve all been following me on E! and really give a hoot that I’m prego. Personally, I think you should be watching the Housewives over the Kardashians anyway. We just thought it would be a great chance to get moms and expecting moms to share their stories, advice and even ask questions relating to the stages of pregnancy and being pregnant with a toddler (those last few words just exhausted me).

I’m just nearing the end of my first trimester, which has been a gas let me tell you—literally, a gas! I think the moment my body and my brain were on the same wavelength that I was pregnant by belly swelled with gas and my senses went on overload, deciding that the smell of roasted turkey or the mere thought of a leafy green vegetable would fill me with the desire to wretch. The familiar feeling of nausea came back to me, I remember that distinctly when I was pregnant with my son, but the need for a nap at all hours of the day and the sleepless nights seems new. But, then again, I did not have a toddler running around the first time. I think I may be turning a corner. I am going on my third morning waking up without saltine cracker crumbs all over me and the sheets from my middle of the night snacking to appease an uneasy belly. Could the land of more energy and a fresh salad that doesn’t make me gag be waiting just around the corner? My vastly expanding butt would appreciate some exercise soon, that’s for sure.

Are you newly pregnant? Share your first trimester feelings? Been there, done that and have some great advice for me, I’d love to hear it. You can connect with us on Twitter and also on Facebook.

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Things You Need to Enjoy a Music Festival

So now that I have listed all of the amazing music festivals that are going on in 2010, I thought I would provide a list of “must-brings” so you don’t get caught enjoying the music without the right supplies!

Sunblock
With all of the dancing, laughing and hanging out that you will be doing, it’s sometimes difficult to remember that you’re getting scorched in the summer sun. I prefer to use spray sunblock, that way I can get the hard-to-reach places without asking anyone for help. Remember to use a sport or sweat proof sunblock and even then, re-apply every few hours.

Camera
You can’t go to a music festival without your camera! Some festivals have rules about what types of camera you can bring (no movie cameras, etc.), but every outdoor festival that I know of lets you take snapshots. If you’re worried about your expensive digital camera and you’re not a hotshot photographer anyway, bring a few disposable cameras and you’ll be set. Buy the super-cheap flashless cameras for daytime, and get the still-pretty-cheap flash cameras for the evening.

Baby Wipes
Not just for babies any more, wet wipes can keep you feeling fresh as a daisy even after a few days with no shower. Your hair will still be a rat’s nest, but at least you won’t smell.

First Aid Kit
Legally-run festivals (which are the only kind you should attend) are required by law to have first aid services available and an ambulance on call, so if something major happens, there will be people to take care of you. However, they often don’t dispense headache medicine, and sometimes it’s more hassle than it’s worth to get a simple band-aid put on, so make yourself a simple first-aid kit and save yourself some trouble.

Flashlight/Headlamp
A headlamp is by far one of the most underrated music festival necessities. If you can get past the dork-factor that is sometimes associated with a headlamp, you will find that finding things, making beds, and a late night trip to the port-o-potty just got a lot more manageable. If you can’t bring yourself to wear a headlamp, at least bring a flashlight- and then you will realize how much you want to bring a headlamp for next year’s festival.

Toilet Paper
Every attendee of a music festival knows the port-o-potties run out of TP very quickly. And even when they have some left, it is the equivalent to newspaper- not the most comfortable thing. Bring a couple rolls of TP from home and rest assured you will be comfortable, and not stranded yelling for assistance.

Blanket or Chairs
At some point, you’re probably going to want to sit down in one place and hear some music. Some festivals don’t let you bring chairs, but most do, and if you’re bringing them, the folding canvas chairs with carrying bags are the best, comfy and easy to carry. I personally prefer to sprawl, though, and I really like those ten-dollar woven wool Mexican-style blankets. They hold up and they’re easy to carry, but if they get lost or forgotten, they’re easy to replace.

Backpack
When I attended Burning Man I saw a poor girl walking through the sand of that dessert in heels and carrying an itty bitty Chanel purse on her shoulder. That’s a great outfit for the mall, or a fine dinner, etc., but not at a music festival! Find a comfortable backpack that can fit all of the essentials and won’t put too much strain on your back.

A Broken-In Pair of Shoes
Want to look super fly at a festival??? Right on! But don’t go out buying new shoes to show off that new swag. Chances are you’re going to get blisters. There is NOTHING worse than walking around for three days straight in the hot sun with a mind boggling blister on your foot. Bring dependable shoes that are broken in. Make sure you also bring awesome socks- they can make a world of difference.

Trash Bags
This can save you on so many levels! Depending on the weather, they can help keep your things dry, be made into a poncho to keep you dry, or be there for when you are cleaning up after yourself. They can be easily stored but really come in handy if unexpected rain rolls in.

Refillable bottle
Some Festivals allow you to bring drinks, some don’t. But having a refillable bottle can keep you hydrated which is a must with all of the partying, dancing, and walking you doing throughout the festival.

Last but not least remember your Festival Pass!
Make sure to have a blast and let me know which festival you went to and how it was!
Hit me up on Facebook or on Twitter and tell me who was your favorite group/band/performer!

Related Articles:

Sara Lopez

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Get that Body Ready for Spring!

It was inevitable that during the winter months a few of us (OK, more than a few) had adopted the natural animal instinct to hibernate and put on a few pounds. And now that Spring is here it’s time to get back in shape!

Here are a few tips on how to get your body ready for those bikinis or boardshorts safely!

Establish a plan and don’t over do it

One of the biggest mistakes is over-doing a workout plan. Get a notebook or open a new word document and write what your goals are.

Make sure your goals are realistic:

I want to lose 10 pounds in two months.
I want to decrease my caloric intake by 20 calories. A great iPhone app to track calories is Tap n’ Track
I will start working out 20 minutes a day, every other day.

A paced approach like these can largely help keep you on track and prevent getting burned out too quickly.

After setting goals, another important thing to understand is that you have to build flexibility into your plan. Don’t beat yourself up if you “slip up” a couple of days. This will only encourage an attitude of giving up. Plan ahead for holidays, birthday parties, and weddings so you know when you should allow yourself some extra slack and then get back on your plan.

Eat Fresh

Now that Spring is here you can eat the produce that wasn’t available during the winter seasons. Eat bright colored fruits and vegetables! The brightness is a great indicator for resources of nutrition and energy. I like to think, “eat bright, feel bright”.

Exercising can now be moved outdoors

There aren’t many things more motivating than getting outside after an entire season of indoor workouts. Here’s an article about moving from indoor workouts to outdoor workouts safely.

The hardest part about getting in shape for the warmer months is keeping yourself motivated. Check out this article on how to stay motivated!

From everyone here at 8^th Continent Soymilk we wish you a happy spring and can’t wait to see you (and your Spring-ready body) out there!

Bust Out While Training!

The L.A. Marathon is approaching quickly! Know what else is coming quickly? That’s right! Spring!

It is almost time to lay the treadmill to rest for the season and start getting your marathon running behind out the door and into the world of pavement running!My friend from Runner’s World have an amazing article all about doing just that- safely!
When runners first move to pavement after months of hibernating indoors on the ‘mill, they’re in for a shock. Treadmills help you run because the machine provides the forward motion. When you run outside, you have to push against the solid ground, which requires more energy and puts a different stress on your ankles, feet, and legs. These steps will help you make a safe, enjoyable transition to the great outdoors.

EASE INTO IT Start by going outside once a week. If you’ve been running continuously for 30 minutes on the treadmill, when you head out, run one minute and walk one minute for 30 minutes. On the second week, add another outdoor run and increase the run/walk ratio to 2:1. Gradually decrease your indoor time as you increase your outdoor time.

SLOW DOWN I believe that many treadmills aren’t properly calibrated and tell runners that they’ve run farther and/or faster than they really have. When you start running outside, you might feel frustrated because you’re running slower than normal. Here’s how to compensate: If you run a nine-minute-per-mile pace on the treadmill, start your outdoor runs at 11 minutes per mile. After 10 minutes, speed up to 10 minutes per mile—which is likely equivalent to the pace that you were running inside.

REDUCE THE MILEAGE If you slow down and add more walk breaks, you will probably be able to cover the same distance you’ve been logging on the treadmill. But feel free to cut your mileage back a little as you adjust.

PREPARE FOR BAD WEATHER Layered technical gear can keep you comfortable even if the weather changes during your run. Remove a layer before you start to sweat.

Marathon Motivation

We have all had those spurts of energy that last one or two or even three days where we feel on top of our workout routine and we are full of sticktoitiveness. However, they are usually just that- spurts. What do you do when that feeling has worn off? You are training for a marathon! And you need to keep training. I teamed up with my friends over at Marathon Rookie to bring you some tips to keep you motivated and help you cross that finish line.

Visualization
Set aside a few minutes each day, or at least a few times each week, to relax and picture in your mind the runner you want to be. Picture yourself making a great training run or running the actual race. As you are creating that image, try to get other senses involved by trying to feel what it will feel like to achieve your goal or push through any obstacles you envision.

Affirmations
Flood your mind with positive thoughts by talking to yourself every day. Tell yourself that you are a marathon runner. Our minds operate in the present so the more we tell ourselves something, even if it is not yet true, the faster our mind believes it and begins working now to make that affirmation a reality. Also, put an affirmation, race brochure, or inspiring quote somewhere you will see it every day like on your desk or bathroom mirror.

Block the Negative
Be aware of negative thoughts creeping into your mind. When you catch them, stop them cold in their tracks by telling yourself the opposite. For instance, if you catch yourself thinking you are tired during a run, tell yourself several times, with emphasis, that you feel great or feel strong. Do the same for any pain during a run. By telling yourself the opposite, you are diverting your focus from the negative to the positive.

Change into that Running Gear
Sometimes simply changing into your workout gear can get you in the mood to work out!

Get a Dog
OK, by now you all know I am practically obsessed with getting a dog sometime in my near future. Make a promise to your dog that you will take him/her on a walk daily. You will play fetch with him/her every other day… which is a great workout especially if your dog has not learned the step of bringing the thrown object back to you.

A Little Friendly Competition
Link up withe friends/co-workers/people online and start a little competition! Keep in mind everyone has different levels of running/exercising skills. But it isn’t about comparing apples to apples. It is about the improvement and progression! Knowing other people are going through similar challenges can help keep you motivated.

Over the course of training, you may find yourself lacking motivation at some point. This is very common. Maybe you get discouraged because unexpected events have caused you to miss a run, a few runs, or even a week or more of runs. Maybe something in your life diverts your focus from training and your goal. Whatever the case, do not let it stop you from achieving your goal!

Think of supporters cheering you on as you run with ease through the marathon or half marathon. Think about how rewarding it will be when you cross the finish line and reflect on what you have just accomplished.

Surround yourself with positive, motivating things. Watching running movies is great for marathon motivation. Find something that connects with you emotionally and you will find that your intensity and desire will grow to where you don’t just want to achieve your goal, you have to achieve your goal.

Take a step back and think about why you have set this monster goal for yourself and see yourself enjoying all the benefits you expect to have once you accomplish your goal.

Want to run the LA Marathon with me, the 8th Continent Soymilk Crew, and Child SHARE?

Well you can! Sign up here!

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Start Your Training for the LA Marathon!

So most of you have seen the pics I have posted on Facebook and Twitter of myself rosy cheeked, bundled up, and sweating- proving that woman don’t necessarily just glow. I am officially training for the LA Marathon! Usually, you would need to give yourself around 6 months to train for a marathon. However, I don’t have time for that! But don’t worry, I will be walking the 26 mile marathon with the good people over at Child S.H.A.R.E. So not only will I have company, but I will have an excuse to not try to run the entire way. (thank goodness)

Before we start going over tips on what to do…

I think it is just as important to go over things you should NOT do! So many beginners make so many of the same mistakes when they first start out!

My friends over at Runner’s World helped me out with this amazing list!

Mistake: Too fast, too soon
“Most first-time racers go out too fast and are miserable by the second mile,” says women’s running coach Jane Serues. Even veteran runners get caught up in the race-day enthusiasm–and other faster racers.

Easy Fix:
“Start out at a comfortable pace,” says Serues, “a pace where you’re not killing yourself and can still converse with deep breaths in between sentences. No huffing and puffing.” Then try to run each mile just a little bit faster, so that your last mile is the fastest. “A strong finish leaves a better taste in your mouth than a great first mile with a cross-eyed finish,” says Chris Carmichael of Carmichael Training Systems.

Mistake: Too much food
RW columnist Jeff Galloway says many first-timers eat too much before a race, particularly the night before. Carmichael agrees. “You don’t need to carbo-load for a 5-K,” he says. Most people have enough stored energy in their bodies to run a 5-K without taking in any additional calories.

Easy Fix:
“Eat less than normal before the race,” says Serues. Try small meals the day before, and something as simple as a banana and a glass of skim milk on race morning. “The key is choosing something easy to digest,” says Serues. “Not ham and eggs, which your body has to work hard to break down.”

Mistake: Too little warmup/cooldown
Your body needs to warm up properly before it can run well at the higher intensity required to race a 5-K. And a postrace cooldown helps you recover more quickly so that you’ll feel better the day after the race.

Easy Fix:
Include a 15-minute warmup before the race, and a 15-minute cooldown afterward, says Carmichael. For both, mix walking and jogging to help ease into and out of your race pace.

Want to come join me and the rest of the 8th Continent Crew at the Marathon? DO IT!

Make sure to keep tuning in for more tips and updates to get you to that finish line.

Fitness

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Cupid’s 8th Continent 12 Days of Valentines- Day 6

I have been teaming up with Cupid to count down the days until Valentine’s Day and provide you with great gift ideas, recipes, playlists and all! But so far I haven’t discussed my favorite thing to do on Valentine’s Day. I know you are all thinking the same thing- isn’t it obvious what two people do when they are alone, in love, and want to share something with each other? Forget the material things, the things you can eat and purchase. The most romantic thing to do on Valentine’s Day is share an experience. Here are a few ideas that will ensure this will be the most romantic Valentine’s Day that neither you or your significant other will forget!

Make a playlist that includes songs that remind you of a time you spent together and explain each one. Cuddle up and let the bands or singer/songwriters do the talking for you! A great site to use for this is Grooveshark. You can find just about any song on there and save your playlist- and it’s free!
Go get a couple’s massage together. This is a perfect way to relax. And afterward I can assure you will be in that light-headed romantic refreshed mood!
Read your Horoscopes for that day and do something based on each person’s fortune.
Do a photo shoot! There is no need to have a professional photographer when you have each other. Capture some artsy shots of your hands intertwined, or of that smile that has left you intoxicated for the other person. Or take a picture of that cute freckle she has on her shoulder blade. Or a picture of that scar he got on his knee from when you two went hiking together. Sometimes we forget to appreciate the small special things that truly matter. This is a great way to let the other person know you do not take them for granted and you appreciate them and your experiences you have shared together.
If you are where there is tons of snow- play King/Queen of the mountain! The snow plows have officially cleared the streets and there are bound to be piles near you. Let yourselves be kids again and have a cute competition on who can get to the top first, or who makes the best snow angels. After that you can make a wonderful cup of hot chocolate and giggle away reflecting on how silly you both just were.
Spend a couple hours together writing romantic ideas on separate slips of paper. After you get a total of 100 romantic ideas on 100 pieces of paper, then fill a jar with them. Every Sunday, from this day on, alternate who picks one and has to implement it by the following Sunday — at which point the other partner will pick a new romantic idea and have a week to follow through with it. (courtesy of The Fun Times Guide)
Cuddle. It is simple, cost efficient, and couples don’t do it enough.

Have any more ideas that I have missed? Make sure to include them in the comments section!

And if none of the above suit you, no worries! You can take a look at some of the posts I have already put up, or you can come back here in the following days because I will be continuing the romantic countdown to Valentine’s Day!

Day 12- Make a pop-up Valentine’s Day card!

Day 11- Make a heart-shaped Vegan Chocolate Cake!

Day 10- A DIY project to make “U Complete Me” Pillow set!

Day 9- My music picks- both a pro-love and anti-love playlist!

Day 8- The Perfect Valentine’s Day presents from Etsy!

Day 7- Perfect Vegan recipe for Penna alla Vodka!

Have any ideas for future posts and gifts for Valentine’s Day? Help a chica out! Hit me up on Facebook or Twitter and let me know. In other words, spread the love.