Virginia Bloggers

Tag: Guest Post

  • 5 Tips for New Runners via Neon Blonde Runner

    Greetings to my fellow Virginia friends!!  My name is Katherine and I’m a 3 time marathon runner with a personal best time of 3:26.  I’ve had a fast and furious love affair with running and I am super excited to report that I just registered for my first Boston Marathon in spring 2013.  I blog about my running adventures, travels, and life in Richmond Virginia over at Neon Blonde Runner.

    The goal of my blog is to inspire others to dream big and shoot for the stars with their goals.  I just ran my first road race in 2010 and at that time I would have never dreamed about qualifying for the Boston Marathon, but you never know what you’re capable of until you try.  So that’s why I want to give each of you 5 simple tips for getting you started with running…so that you can take off, make it your own and discover what you’re capable of too.

    You may recognize me from the October 2012 issue of Outside Magazine! My photo was featured in the article that named Richmond the Best River Town in the nation

     

     

    5 Simple Tips for New Runners

    1)  When you’re starting out, don’t focus on speed.  Instead, just run based on time—for example, decide that you’re going to spend 20 minutes jogging and just set out and relax.  Focus on enjoying yourself and getting a “feel” for it.  I didn’t start to pay attention to speed or pace until I’d been casually jogging for almost a year.  This will take the pressure off of it all.  This is your “me” time, your time to clear you head.  You can gradually increase the length of your runs when you feel comfortable with what you’re already doing.

    Once you get into it, running can feel as relaxing as a siesta on the beach

     

    2)  Run with a buddy or a group!  You’d be surprised at how much this makes a difference.  If you know that you’re going to meet someone for a jog, it’ll be much easier to head out the door.

    Running with Tappan at the Color Me Rad 5K

     

    3)  Remember that the hardest part of running is getting out the door.  Not many people get super excited before heading out for a jog…but once you get started, the feeling is pretty darn incredible and you won’t regret it.  Schedule a time to go running ahead of time and stick with it—I prefer running before work, otherwise it just will NOT get done.

    4)  Go to a running store to get fitted for a pair of shoes.  Running in the right shoes is super important and can help prevent any injuries!  Sources recommend that you replace your shoes ever 200-300 miles.

    5)  Track your progress and stick with it for at least a month before you decide to stop running.  Keep a little calendar where you write down how long you ran each day.  Or you can record your progress in an online running diary, such as Daily Mile or the runner’s world training log.  If you stick with it for a month and still don’t enjoy running, then maybe running’s just not your thing…but I doubt that will be the case because you’ll notice such incredible changes in your life, both mentally and physically.

    Running is simple, pure, and has added so much joy to my life.  Its benefits will seep into all other parts of your life.

    So give it a try!  I am always happy to try to pull new converts along with me!  So if you live in Richmond, let me know and I’ll tell you about some great local running groups.

    Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions:

    -e-mail- NeonBlondeRunner @ gmail . com

    -twitter- NeonRunnerKat

    -Instagram @NeonBlondeRunner

    Are you a runner and have some tips to add?  Please let us know in the comments below!

     

  • Guest Blogger: Caught On A Whim

    Hi!  My name is Erica and I blog over at Caught On A Whim.  In my blog I share my adventures in puppy raising, crafting, travels, recipes and more.  Here is one of our recent adventures in Virginia…

    My husband and I decided to spend some of our time off this year on a staycation at home.  Maybe that doesn’t sound too exciting offhand, but a staycation doesn’t have to be a ‘bore’cation.  You just have to spice it up by being creative.  We decided to be local tourists by visiting local attractions, trying new restaurants and seeing Virginia with fresh new eyes.  One of our favorite day trips was to the Chateau Morrisette Winery.

    The winery itself is a magnificent building which was built completely from reclaimed wood.  The architecture is stunning.
    The views are nothing short of ahhhmazing!  Who doesn’t love the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains?  We also ate at the winery’s restaurant, which has tasty gourmet food and even more breathtaking views on the expansive patio.  Plus, there is no shortage events and festivals to attend throughout the year.
    Now, this is where the magic (aka wine tasting) happens.  It was fun to have the chance to taste multiple wines in a row.  I never get to do that on my own, because opening 10 bottles of wine at home is just a wee bit too expensive.
    It was also fun to take a tour the winery.  On the tour we got a chance to learn the history and to also see how the wine was made.  Who doesn’t love a good wine with a paw print stamp of approval?
    And of course, don’t go home empty handed.  Be sure to take home a few of your favorite bottles of wine from the tasting and check out the gift shop for fun trinkets like this buzzy wine stopper that I couldn’t resist bringing home.

    Even the ride out to the winery is worth the trip.  All you have to do to get there is go for a little joyride on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  You might even make it to the winery eventually, after you are able to pull yourself away from the views you’ll encounter on the drive to get there…

    Have you guys been to Chateau Morrisette? Care to share any other wineries in Virginia (or beyond) you’ve enjoyed visiting?  

  • Guest Blogger: Eating Appalachia

    Hi fellow VA bloggers—so fantastic to join you all in celebrating Virginia! I’m Jes of Eating Appalachia and I hail from Roanoke down in the southwestern corner Virginia. Originally from Atlanta, I made my home here after earning my MFA at Hollins University in Poetry (I was in it for the money…wink wink) and falling in love with the mountains, local produce, and a fantastic fellow who goes by G here on the internet. My blog centers on food (hence the “eating!”) and features vegan recipes and omni restaurant reviews from around the world. I guess you could say I live to eat—and now I’m even making a little bit of a living off it. Can’t beat that!

    Introduction aside, today I’ve decided to share with you all a recipe that incorporates everything I stand for food-wise (fresh local produce, booze, and preservation)—Strawberry Bourbon Brown Sugar Preserves. While strawberries are now a bit out of season, this is definitely a recipe to hold onto for next year or one to make with some of the strawberries you might have frozen. And what beats a recipe with bourbon? (I swear, if you can put liquor in it, chances are I’ve already made it or it’s on my list!)

    A few years ago I jumped on the canning train and even worked for an entrepreneur who opened a small local foods restaurant & store here in Roanoke. While the business venture didn’t pan out in the end, the time that I spent culling through boxes and boxes of fruits and vegetables, slicing & seasoning, and standing over giant pots of boiling water instilled what I think will be a life-long infatuation with fresh food preservation. It’s amazing all the different ways you can pickle and preserve. If you’re looking for a good place to learn how to can, check out the blog Food in Jars or the book Canning for a New Generation–love them both.

    This particular recipe focuses on the sweeter side of preserved food and is a great way to honor the late spring’s bounty. While I love strawberry jam, I found myself wanting to make a more updated version of the classic recipe. A quick Google search left me wondering why on earth no one else had thought to add bourbon to strawberry preserves—seems like a no-brainer, right? So I decided to run with it. The resulting preserves are light and tart with a mellow, caramel-oak backtone, perfect to serve on freshly baked biscuits. While not overtly boozy, the bourbon adds a nice warmth to the preserves and gives them just a little more depth than you’d normally find in strawberry jam. Light. Sweet. Tart. Dark. These preserves pack a lot of differing flavors that definitely complement each other—Southern to the core with a bit of Appalachian flair.

    Strawberry Bourbon Brown Sugar Preserves

    • 6 c Crushed strawberries (about 1.5 quarts whole)
    • 3 tbsp Low or no-sugar pectin (I used Ball’s)
    • 2/3 c Bourbon
    • 1 c Brown Sugar
    • Jars & lids for canning
    • Canning supplies

    In a medium stock pot, combine the crushed strawberries and pectin. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly.

    Add brown sugar and bourbon. Return to a full rolling boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

    If canning, process in a hot water bath per these instructions for 10 minutes to fully preserve and seal.

    Makes 2 ½ pints.

     

    Virginia Love,

    Jes of Eating Appalachia

  • Guest Post: Whirl & Whisk

    Today’s guest blogger is a self-described bakeaholoic who makes some crazy-delicious goodies! Spend 10 seconds on her blog, and your sweet tooth will be itching for a bite! Today, she’s sharing a recipe for some homemade hazelnut candy bars! Enjoy!

    I love living in Richmond. I grew up hearing (and believing) that Richmond was boring, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve come to find that Richmond is full of extraordinary places! Especially when it comes to food. I adore my city’s love for food and it has inspired me to start my blog whirl + whisk where I bake up something sweet daily.

    One place in RVA that I love is Pasture. It’s a little restaurant located on E. Grace Street. They have THE most amazing homemade hazelnut candy bar. It is borderline life changing. So naturally I had to try to make it myself.

    I’m not a huge fan of the actual hazelnuts in the candy bar, so I didn’t add any to my recipe, but there’s lots of Nutella flavor to make up for it! Feel free to add whatever you like to this recipe!

    Hazelnut Candy Bar

    Prep Time:†10 minutes (2 hours cooling time)
    Bake Time:†0
    Yields:†3 candy bars

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • 1/2 cup Nutella
    • 1 cup milk chocolate morsels
    Directions:

      1. Mix chocolate and nutella in a bowl. Set aside
      2. Heat heavy whipping cream in a pan until it is about to boil (when bubbles start around the edges) and poor it over the chocolate and nutella mixture and whisk on med-high for about 2-3 minutes
      3. Line a square baking sheet with parchment paper and poor the mixture in. Let cool for 2 hours
      4. Remove the parchment and cut into 1 inch strips. Cut the strips in half
      5. Stack 4 pieces on top of each other (they will stick together) putting melted milk chocolate in between
      6. Add more milk chocolate to the top and set in the fridge for 20 minutes
      7. EAT!
    It came out amazing, and very close to the real deal. As a dessert and snack blogger, I can say that Richmond offers up a ton of inspiration for me and I wouldn’t be happier anywhere else.
    Be sure to follow my blog to keep up with all of the crazy desserts and snacks I make daily! Like…

    See more desserts and deliciousness @ Whirl & Whisk

  • Guest Blogger: The Lunchbox Diaries

    Today’s guest blogger is Colleen, currently a resident of RVA, who blogs life & healthy living. Her blog will motivate you to stay healthy, and make you laugh out loud! 

    Hello, friends! I’m Colleen, the blogger behind The Lunchbox Diaries. Over at my little piece of the interweb, I gab about things such as being a newlywed, giving healthy living my best shot, and everything in between!

    My take on healthy living is, in a word: humorous. I don’t take myself too seriously, and I don’t think you should either 😉

    To be honest, I’ve had tons of ups and downs in the healthy living realm. I’ve run a half marathon.

    On the other hand, I actually wrote a break-up letter to running – it’s an tumultuous relationship. I’ve found my fitness love, Body Pump – and I struggle with controlling myself around food.

    I’m a firm believer that fitness looks different on every body, and that we (I’m talkin’ to the ladies here!) need to celebrate that. I, my friends, will never be a long distance runner or have a perfectly flat belly. I just won’t!

    (Editors note: But she does have some sweet guns! I asked Colleen if I could include this picture!!)

    And you know what? After tons of hard work, I’m okay with it.

    Truth be told, my “being okay with it” fuels my mini-mission with blogging: to help other people realize how awesome they are.

    Yeah, that’s right – I’m talkin’ to you 😉

    Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries

    To meet more Virginia Bloggers, check out our blogroll, and keep your eyes peeled for an event announcement coming later this week!