january run+workout.

january run+workout playlist; 1 hour, 28 minutes.

happy new year everyone!


after a few months of not being able to do much of anything besides work and rest, I'm finally back at it.


and as so many of us commit to a "new year, new me" i thought I'd start off the resolutions right...


with the very first run+workout playlist of 2016!



as always, there's a little bit of everything for everyone. Hope you enjoy!

january run+workout.

1. cake by the ocean, DNCE
2. flux, Bloc Party
3. power, Kanye West
4. you, Galantis
5. as long as you love me, Justin Bieber
6. something big, Shawn Mendes
7. me & my girls, Fifth Harmony
8. something in the way you move, Ellie Goulding
9. send it up, Kanye West
10. sorry, Justin Bieber
11. tied up, Casey Veggies
12. try me, Jason Derulo
13. transmission, Zedd
14. love you right, Matoma
15. a sky full of stars, Coldplay
16. levels, Nick Jonas
17. roses, The Chainsmokers
18. same old love, Selena Gomez
19. love myself, Hailee Seinfeld
20. the fix, Nelly
21. waiting for you, Demi Lovato
22. magnets, Disclosure
23. pay my rent, DNCE
24. keep on dancin', Ellie Goulding
25. 679, Fetty Wap

january run+workout. from adrienne.porter1 on 8tracks Radio.

kayla itsine & a new routine.

recently i've been going through some health issues. And it's barred me from working out for the last 2.5 months.

it's really starting to get to me. Working out is very cathartic for me; it's my release, my therapy, my me-time. Not being able to work out is hard, but not being able to run is brutal.

i'm not as strong as I used to be. Physically and mentally. And I'm not ok with that.

luckily, things are changing. The meds I'm on are slowing and blunting the negatives, and I'm finally starting to feel myself again and feeling positive. So upwards and onwards!

and on to new things! I've been searching for a different workout regimen that will give me a little more of a challenge, and all everyone can talk about is this BBG.

that's the Bikini Body Guide, to all of us out of the know! It was designed by this awesome Aussie trainer Kayla Itsines. She designed the programs specifically for the female body and all of our trouble zones: bum, tum, and legs.

source: kayla itsines.

after stalking her and her cult following on insta, i've been blown away by all of the BBG users' journeys and progress. Unlike a lot of the workouts and lifestyles out there, Kayla's breeds lean and healthy results. Check out the #bbg hashtag here!

source: kayla itsines.

so far, I'm sold!!! 

have any of you tried it? What are your thoughts?!

stay tuned, lovelies! 

xo, 

adrienne. 

the best (vegan) applesauce you've ever had.

one of the best perks about living in michigan: apple season!!

growing up, we had a few apple trees on our property. I can remember picking an apple to nosh on my way to school, making apple jam and butter with my Nana, and falling out of the branches one too many times.

but enough reminiscing.

one of my favorite things to make in the fall is homemade apple sauce. I can't eat raw apples anymore (God decided to bless me with a severe allergy to them, but we'll save that story for another day), so I get my apple fix via some good old sauce. 

this is probably one of my favorites. 

it's also gluten-free, vegan, and easy as pie (horrible, dad-level, pun intended).

here's what you need:

ingredients:

• a whole bunch of apples (fuji apples are my favorite), 3lbs oughtta do it. 
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. powdered ginger
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. instant espresso
• 1 vanilla bean (curds)

supplies:

• crockpot
• knife
• fruit peeler
• cutting board

and here's what you do:

1. peel the apples, and then rinse them off with cold water. While you're peeling all of the apples, place the ones you've already peeled in a bowl of cold water. This helps them stay fresh and crisp.

2. core 'em, slice 'em, dice 'em. 

3. throw those bad boys into your crockpot, set on high. If you're lucky enough to use your parents' avocado green crockpot from 1970s, that's probably not up to                                                                                         code, use that one.

4. top your diced apples with the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, instant espresso, and vanilla bean curds.

5. stir, cover, and wait while those apples cook down to soft mushy goodness. This usually takes about 4 hours. Don't forget to stir occasionally!
smash them if you want a chunkier sauce. If you want a smoother one, stick them in a blender and blend until smooth. 

6. if it's not sweet enough, add maple syrup to taste.

now put that deliciousness into some cute, hella basic mason jars and pat yourself on the back. You did it! Store them in your fridge, and pull them out when you need a good fix. Enjoy! 

get to cooking, my PSL friends.

xo,

adrienne.  

sometimes things don't go your way.

... and when they don't, it's hard not to feel defeated. 

what's worse than that: when these things are completely outside of your control. Having control over our bodies, our actions, and our environments gives us peace; knowing the general outcome of events allots us predictability. And predictability breeds comfort.

losing that peace and warmth, though, will rock you to your core. Especially when you know you've done everything right, up to this very moment, in order to prevent something like this from happening.

but you find yourself in this free fall where, just like the Rabbit Hole, you don't know where or when you'll land. All you know is you are not where you are supposed to be, not where you ever thought you would be in your wildest dreams.

and then you hit the bottom. Just like an actual fall, you get hit with the heaviness that you know is coming but is still shocking, nonetheless. You stay there for a moment, allowing the impact to register. And that's when you feel everything shatter.

it starts as one tiny fraying sliver of yourself, but before you know it, you're in a million pieces. Some pieces are bigger than others, but you fear never being able to find those small but significant fragments again.

you see these pieces lying shattered and sprawled out in front of you. And with all of the predictability, control, and love of self... you still don't know where to begin.

or how to begin.

or when to begin. 

but you know you have to. You have to pick up the shards of you, all of them, and put yourself together again. Unlike the nursery rhyme, though, you don't have all the kings horses nor all the kings men to come to your aid and swiftly put you back together again.

you do, however, have purpose. Because there's no way the universe would hit you with such damaging offense without a reason.

and that reason is to share your story. 

by sharing your story, you are sharing your strength.

you are sharing all of the big pieces of yourself that make you who you are.

you are sharing the strain you endured through your journey of not knowing if you're putting the correct pieces in the right places.

you're sharing the energy you had to put out in the face of possible defeat.

you're sharing the scars you'll bare, but will eventually heal all by yourself.

you're sharing the faith you have that those tiny shards of yourself you lost will be replaced by even stronger, smarter, and significant ones.

you're sharing who you truly are. And after fighting this battle, who you actually are now is a hundred times better than who you used to be.

because you are a survivor. 

september run+workout playlist.

my favorite running spot: along Lake Michigan! Bay Harbor, Petoskey, Michigan.

september is here, which means perfect running weather is too. I love September, almost as much as I love October. September is always about returning to the routine, comfort, and the crispness of fall. It's not too hot, and never too cold. Most importantly, it's low humidity which is my own personal hell when it comes to working out.

so, after a little summer-season hiatus, here's a new run+workout playlist!

as per usual, there's a little bit of everything and definitely a little bit of something for everyone.

september run+workout playlist

september run+workout playlist: 24 tracks, 1 hour and 9 minutes.

1. Radioactive, Imagine Dragons
2. Somewhere to Run, Krewella
3. Survivor, Destiny's Child
4. Talking Body, Tove Love
5. Stronger, Britney Spears
6. Shake it, Metro Station
7. Drag Me Down, One Direction
8. HeadBand (Coucheron Remix), B.o.B
9. Tonight is the Night, Outasight
10. Compass, Lady Antebellum
11. Somebody To You, The Vamps
12. Ugly Heart, G.R.L.
13. Transmission, Zedd
14. Wrecking Ball (Caked Up Remix), Miley Cyrus
15. Cool for the Summer, Demi Lovato
16. Vacation, Thomas Rhett
17. Levels, Nick Jonas
18. Love Myself, Hailee Steinfeld
19. Don't It, Billy Currington
20. Hood Go Crazy, Tech N9ne
21. Friday Night, Eric Paslay
22. So Good, B.o.B
23. Danza Kuduro, Don Omar & Lucenzo
24. I Like Tuh, Carnage

(oh, and here's the link to the playlist on 8tracks!)

run on and enjoy the early fall colors,

adrienne. 

10 tips for new runners.

my love for running is no secret. I love the way it makes me feel, and what it does for my heart and body. Rain, snow, or gale force winds won't stop me. I wish I could do it all the time but alas Usain Bolt I am not. 

being a runner, I remember what it's like to start out. Not knowing if I was running the proper way, worrying about running too slow, getting lapped by people 3 times my age.... It was rough and it can be intimidating, but hopefully these tips will help!

1. invest in a really good running shoe. This is probably the most important thing for runners of all levels. A good pair of trainers is what's going to prevent you from potential sprains, pulled muscles, and limit shinsplints. Asics are my favorite, but there are plenty of different brands out there. Go to a running store, and have them assess your gait and pronation. They'll be able to find you a shoe that fits your needs. Also, if you mention you're a first-time runner, a lot of stores will give you a discount. FTW. 
   
2. same thing goes for socks. I used to think my socks didn't make a difference, but once you switch to athletic, or even more specifically, running socks, you'll never go back.
3. heartburn is definitely a thing. Especially for us morning runners. All of the movement jostles all of our insides, and the acid producers go into overdrive. Get out ahead of the heart burn, and take an acid reducer before you head out on your run. If you have a history of chronic acid reflux like me, take a once daily OTC medication. 
4. runners' trots are too. This varies from person to person, but again all of that jostling of the digestive system tends to get things flowing whether you like it or not. 
5. hydration is a lifestyle. This is a constant and continuous thing. I usually drink about 80oz of water a day. Do I have to pee every 15 minutes? Yes. But for me, being properly hydrated is the difference between barely being able to break 3miles and running 5miles without stopping. 
   
6. always run with music. It'll pump you up, help you pace out, and limit your boredom. If you have a good playlist, you'll be unstoppable. 
7. but practice safety first. If you're running with music, run with one ear in and the other (closest to the road) out. If you'll be on the road, always run AGAINST traffic; it's easier to dodge a car that you can see coming than it is to dodge one you can't see. Always carry your phone and identifying information, including health info. Tell someone where you're running, and which route you'll be taking. Simple, yet important. 
   
8. get your run in in the morning. I know, who actually wants to get up an hour before they have to... besides me lol. Getting it out of the way before you do aaaaaanything else limits the potential to make excuses as the day progresses. For me, morning runs aren't typically my fastest ones. But if I do it in the morning, I'm more likely to actually get my miles in for the day. 

   

   one of the many perks of running outdoors. 

9. develop a mantra. It can be anything. Mine usually is "I am strong, I am capable, I will succeed." This will help you get through the tough hills and speed training. I repeat mine over and over until I develop a rhythm between the words, my breathing, and my gait. 
10. sign up for races and run with friends. Races = goals . Friends = motivators. And both make for a good time!

    

    next race on tap: 2015 Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon.

no matter what, you should feel amazing for getting out there and doing something that's good for your mind, body, and spirit. Stick with it, and I know you'll fall in love with it. 

run on, lovelies.

xo,

adrienne. 

post-grad pauper: what finding a job after college is actually like.

so you've recently graduated. 

congrats! You have successfully completed the easiest hard part of your life. Mozel!

and as the dust starts to settle, and you are forced to start paying all of those student loans back, you'll find yourself asking yourself, "... well, what now?"

if you're lucky, you'll have found a decent paying job with very little room to grow, a bad HMO, and absolutely no time to eat your lunch anywhere but your desk.

but if you're like the rest of the 98% (<-- fake satistic) of recent college graduates, you're probably feeling like you're up the creek.

... without a paddle.

and did I mention the creek is on fire?

oh and your parents are yelling at you to save yourself.

as they're drinking margaritas with Sallie Mae.

... who's laughing at you and all of your misfortune.

as a post-grad pauper, I've been there (and most days, am still there). I feel like on some Y.A./20-something sites, they always spin the post-grad life as "it's really horrible, but it's amazing and I wouldn't trade it for the world!" Ugh... gag me.

so I wanted to share a realistic look at what it's actually like after you turn that tassel.

1. you will be overqualified for entry-level jobs. No, seriously.
   
2. and some entry-level positions will require years of experience. 
   
3. you'll have more versions of your resume than you can count. At my highest, I had 15. I currently have 4.
4. you will probably have to move back home. Do you know how much the cost of housing has gone up over the last few years? It's depressing, but... Don't worry, you can always paint over that bubblegum pink wallpaper you've had since the 90s.
5. and if you can't re-inhabit your childhood bedroom, you'll probably be living in squalor. Sorry about it.
   
6. everything will start to seem EXTRA super expensive. Even the cheap stuff. 
   
7. all of those job applications you filled out? Yeah, you'll get rejected from the majority of them.
8. but you'll eventually find something to pay the bills. It might be going back to that high school job you swore you'd never do ever again, but... alas... here we are.
9. minimum payments (something you swore you'd never do) become real life. 
   
10. you'll look for jobs out of state, but will realize that you can't move there. Because a) you don't have enough money to move and b) the job doesn't pay enough to make it feasible.
11. jealousy will hit you hard. People will be off getting their careers started, engaged, married, 401ks, buying houses, etc. Don't let it get you down though, because with these comes more bills and more responsibility. 
    
12. you'll start to get desperate. And I mean VERY desperate. "I wonder how much my 2007 ipod would sell for...?" "I mean, who needs this much plasma anyway?" "I have morals, but I also have bills to pay and strippers also make like $1000 a weekend, so...." 
    
13. there will be moments when EVERYTHING falls apart. And it's usually on the same day that your insurance bill, electricity bill, and care payment are due. Or when you get rejected from 10 jobs in the span of 2 hours.
14. and your friends will be shitty.  They're all going through their own life changes, just like you. So don't be too hard on them. 
15. you'll score a few interviews. 
    
16. but potential employers won't call you back. 
    
17. ... until one does. And you won't be able to hide the excitement/relief in your voice when you speak with them. 
18. you'll get your first paycheck 3 weeks later than you thought. Which was already 5 weeks later than you needed.
19. and it'll be smaller than what you thought it would be/needed it to be. "It's okay, I didn't need to buy my prescriptions anyway. 
20. after working a few months, you'll probably start looking for another job. Which is A-OKAY. Always seek out something that's going to grow you, 
21. and you'll finally understand what it is to have a real hard day's work, with little reward.
    
22. most importantly, you'll finally understand what your parents struggled through. Just to make ends meat for their family. 

and this last bit is very true. I've come home, night after night after night, and I've cried/apologized/empathized with my parents. You don't realize how much they do for you, just so that you can do a little for yourself. To all the parents out there: way to go! I don't know how you do it, but way to go.

no matter what, though, chin up my dears. Even though it's hard, try to stay positive and try to stay true. With a load of hard work, sleepless nights, and a wing and a prayer, it will work out. 

keep on keepin on.

xo,

adrienne.