With the NASM Personal Trainer certification exam looming in the (very near) distance, my focus this week has been solely on studying and training/coaching. For the time being, the blog is lower on the list of priorities until this test is over, thanks for bearing with me! I’m sure you all have been eagerly awaiting the latest Rocky Road post! 
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Stretch it Out:
As I mentioned on Monday, I kept focused on flexibility and mobility this week. I took a yoga class on Sunday at Dhyana Yoga Rittenhouse and again on Tuesday at Fusion, and was thrilled to win a 45-minute sports massage at Phila Massages at the Girls on the Run Philadelphia Fundraiser Party. The massage was exactly what I needed, and Natacha did a great job working on my feet (still working on those Plantar Fascia issues) and hamstrings.
I can definitely feel a difference in my flexibility already, but there is a long way to go before I get where I want to be. Stay tuned for a post on some of my favorite stretching routines and mobility exercises coming soon.
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Comin’ in Hot on my iPod:
I put a call out on Facebook and Twitter for some of your favorite Workout tunes, I thought that would be helpful to share as part of “Comin’ in Hot”, because clearly my taste in music is not incredibly well-rounded. Please feel free to link up in the comments some additions, as well as your favorite music finding websites (like Rock my Run, etc.)
Rocky Road Picks:
- All Eyes on Us – Will.i.am and Britney Spears
- Lies (Otto Knows Remix) – Burns
- The Lucky Ones – Kerli
- Ride Like the Wind – Michael Mind
- Check it Out – Will.i.am and Nicki Minaj
Reader Picks:
- If I Can’t – 50 Cent
- Titanium – David Guetta
- B.O.B. – Outkast
- Pump Up the Jam – Technotronic
- Shady Love – Scissor Sisters
- Set it Off – Diplo
- …and all songs by Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, Britney Spears
So, what else should be on the list?
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A few highlights from my Week
A bit of cookie recipe testing for an upcoming Christmas cookie contest (yes I’m that competitive that I test out several recipes to determine my representative cookie). First attempt were The Macaroon Kiss from Rook No 17 that I found on Pinterest. These were good but not great. Certainly not competition cookies.
my next cookie baking attempt were these Black and White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies (sans peppermint) from Courtney at Sweet Tooth Sweet Life. I had higher hopes for these guys and they delivered, so fudgy, soft and chewy –> delicious cookie requirements.
We shall see which ones I end up making for the big cookie show down…
Tuesday night, sautéing an enormous amount of mixed vegetables for this week’s dinners. Yep, you guessed it, Veggie Delight. It never gets old.
Bike tour of my neighborhood on that gorgeous December day on Wednesday:
Dear Philly, Don’t listen to a word they say. You’re pretty.
The discorvery of Fairmount’s best kept secret, Café L’aube, a French Creperie and coffee shop, offering the best Americano I’ve had north of Market Street.
And a Turkey, Camembert cheese, fig spread sandwich on the world’s most deliciously fresh baguette:
An exciting Greek Yogurt delivery from my buddies at Chobani (more on that next week!):
On Thursday, I tried out a new (to me) spinning studio in Philadelphia called Body Cycle.
Placing the finishing touches on the Christmas decorations:
A 45-minute Sports Massage from Phila Massages:
Trying out one of the smoothies from that new place Honeygrow on the 16th Street. They recommended Mango + mint + Ginger + Pineapple flavor, certainly not a flavor combo that I would choose on my own but I trusted the experts and went with it. So, so good!
Hope you all are ready for a great weekend and really getting into the Christmas spirit. I am really looking forward to wrapping up my studies so that I can spend more time sharing the best of running and fitness with you all.
Stay tuned!
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