TGIF and Happy Friday Favorites! I’m coming to you from Tempe, AZ, where I’m attending my level 2 Fascial Stretch Therapy Class! By the time you read this I will be attending my final day of the five-day course (or already graduated!). Pretty much all of my favorites have to do with either my class or just being in Arizona.
Fascial Stretch Therapy Level 2
To be honest with you, I haven’t taken a run all week (yeah, I know!). My class starts at 7:30, after about a half hour drive, and I’m just not comfortable running in the dark in an area I don’t know. And, since Tempe has basically the same weather as my desert, it’s still in the 90s when the class is done for the day. I’m trying to look at this week as a kind of active rest.
Because I have been really active! Though my Fitbit steps count doesn’t show it, I’ve been moving and stretching people (and being stretched, of course) for about eight hours a day! It’s exhilarating and exhausting for both my body and my brain.
Level 2 is all about becoming more intuitive and in sync with my clients. I’m learning to stretch people in a much more functional way, working with joint capsules and rotation, and moving away from the linear and ordered way of level one. Level 2 is learning to dance with my clients, giving them the stretch that they need.
I am so excited because even though this is all new material, it makes complete sense. FYI, I am looking for bodies to hone my skills on, so if you’re in the La Quinta/Palm Desert area, check out Desert Stretch and get a great deal through the end of October!
New Friends
The last two times I came to Arizona for class, I stayed by myself at a hotel. I was fortunate both times to find a good deal on rooms that at least had a refrigerator and microwave, but still, five days away from home in a hotel means five days away from real food.
This time, one of the other students in the class contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in sharing an AirBnB with him and another class member. We got a great deal on a place in Tempe, which then, unfortunately, canceled us at the last minute. He was able to find a new place, in Scottsdale, which is a little farther from class, but still in a very nice area. And it has a full kitchen!
It has worked out great and I believe I have two new friends for life! Kevin is from Reno, where he works as a physical therapist assistant and Cross Fit Coach (in addition to fascial stretch therapist).
Stephanie was in my level one class, so we already knew each other. She lives in Eugene and tells me she sometimes does up to 10 stretches a day! That is so amazing (and makes me tired just thinking about it!)! Wait until she gets back with her new skills. She’ll need more hours in the day!
Food in Phoenix
I can’t write any travel related post without talking about the amazing vegan food I find along the way. Yes, I have a kitchen, but it’s mostly for breakfast. It’s nice to be able to cook my own meal and know exactly what the ingredients are.
However, lunch is usually somewhere close to class in Tempe, while I’ve found a few great places in Scottsdale for dinner. So basically, I have not been running, but I’m still eating my way through Arizona. Yep. Here’s the food porn:
Dinner the first night was a Falafel Pita at a place called the Pita Jungle.
Lunch at Mod Pizza, which is similar to the Blaze Pizza we have at home. You design your own pizza (and they have vegan crust, sauce and cheese).
Veggie Lettuce Wraps at PF Changs.
Veggie Bowl at Chipotles.
On Tuesday I finally made it to a vegan restaurant, the Green American Vegetarian (which I hit up three nights in a row). This was the Chicago Cheesesteak, Buffalo wings, and fries. And a Peanut Butter bar! So good, but I could only eat half!
The next night back to the Green American for their Karma Curry bowl.
Lunch at 24 Carrots. This was the Bacon Club. Don’t let the name fool you, it was 100% plant based!
Finally (to date), sometimes a girl needs a (vegan) burger and fries!
I’m pretty sure I’ll need a lot of running next week to make up for my splurging this week. It sure has been delicious, though!
My 15 Minutes of Fame
On a totally unrelated note, Alan and I have an anniversary coming up (#17!). If you don’t know our wedding story, in a nutshell, we met and married at the Palm Springs Tram Road Challenge.
This year, Palm Springs Life magazine did a fun little article about Alan and me and our wedding. The title is Sole Mates.
This Week on the Blog
I want to be Your Running Resource! I gathered all of my best running posts (and boy, were there a lot of them!) and linked them in one post.
In case you missed it, I’m giving away a box of assorted Thrive Superfood Nut Bars. Read my review and enter the giveaway!
What’s making you happy this week? Want to come to La Quinta and get stretched?
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie and Rachel
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Anything Goes with Marilyn
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Michelle, Jen, and Nicole
The Plant Based Potluck Party with Deborah
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Suz, Lora Marie, and Me!
Giveaway Roundup and Try Out Thursdays with Smitha
The Blogger’s Pit Stop with Kathleen, Janice, Julie and Me!
Living a Life of Fitness, Health and Happiness with Jill
Friday Favorites with Heather
That falafel pizza looks amazing and just gave me some ideas. Hope your training is going well!
My favourite place on earth, Scottsdale Arizona. Who ever wants to leave? 🙂