Subway Turkey Melts review and giveaway!

So, funny thing about Subway and me. My little guy loves going there for lunch. First, he can get black olives on his sandwich and he looooves black olives. Second, I usually let him get a bag of Sunchips that we share and he thinks that is an awesome treat.

Neither of those are the funny thing, though. The funny thing is that, no matter how often I correct him, Conal always -- always -- calls Subway, "Sub Boy."

And every time, it cracks me up.

"Let's go to Sub Boy!"

OK, so maybe that wasn't particularly funny to all of you but, hey, I guess it doesn't take too much to crack me up.

Anyway . . . 

Let's talk turkey!

I was recently invited to try out the Subway Turkey Melt. I took my little boys out to lunch to give the sub a shot and we ordered a foot long Turkey Melt with spinach, tomatoes, black olives, pickles, banana peppers, cucumbers and a little oil and vinegar. I had the sub cut into four pieces and I was lucky to get one piece for myself -- my guys chowed down! 


We enjoyed the sub. It was full of veggies, which I love. My kids do a fairly good job eating their veggies but they always eat them when they are on a Subway sub. To me, taking my guys to Subway to get a Turkey Melt or some other sub is a good alternative to grabbing a bagel, or something else that isn't quite as veggie-rific.


And what about New Year's resolutions?


Subway is all about New Year's resolutions right now -- January is prime time for eating a healthier diet, exercising, changing your habits. In support of your healthy resolutions, Subway is sharing tips from their trainer, Monica Vazquez, from the Food Network show “Fat Chef.” Some of her tips include this one (which is really what I'm working on this year, too):

Cardio and weights are equally important
Although losing weight is about calories in versus calories out, simply burning calories with cardio won’t give you the best results. Muscle helps burn fat (even at rest!), so building lean muscle tissue will help you lose weight, get fit and stay that way.

Lift those weights!

For more information on Monica, check out www.fitnessbymonica.com. 

In support of your healthy eating resolutions, Subway is offering one lucky reader a $10 Subway gift card. The winner can try the Turkey Melt, or any of their other subs -- the choice is yours!

To enter to win the Subway $10 gift card, leave me a comment. Feel free to let me know what your #1 New Year's resolution is.

Additional entries:

As always, you can gain extra entries. Remember, though, you must complete the required entry first! (Leave one comment per entry for the additional ones to count):

• Follow this blog, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment) 
• Follow me on Pinterest, or let me know that you already do  (leave a comment) 
• Pin an image from HERE (whichever one you'd like!)  (leave a comment) 
• Link to this giveaway from Facebook or Twitter (do as often as you'd like, just leave a comment each time) 
• Link to this giveaway from your blog (leave a comment) 

This giveaway will run through Thursday, February 2nd at 11:59pm EST and the winner will be announced on Friday.

Good luck!

~ Felice

Review disclaimer: I was sent a gift card to try a Subway sub to review. I was not otherwise compensated and the opinions expressed here are entirely my own. 

Healthy meals: Kale and chick pea roll-ups.

I love kale! So I enjoy finding new uses for it and creating new dishes that feature it. Today, I thought I'd share a recent favorite: Kale and chick pea roll-ups.

These roll-ups are relatively healthy and quick.

First, I start with a whole wheat tortilla, a small slice of cheddar cheese, two stalks of kale, some chick peas (rinsed), and my homemade lemon vinaigrette:

I break the kale off the stalks and tear it into small pieces. After washing it, I put it in a bowl with a sprinkle of the lemon vinaigrette and then microwave it for about a minute:

In the meantime, I break up the slice of cheese and toss a handful of chick peas on the tortilla. After the kale comes out of the microwave, I put the tortilla in for about 45 seconds, just to melt the cheese:

Once the cheese is melted, I crush the chick peas with a fork and the peas and cheese blend together:

I put the wilted kale on the tortilla and roll it up! (Sorry this pic is blurry.)

Cut it in half and viola! Yummy lunch, or even dinner if you add a side salad or some fruit.

I LOOOOVE these roll-ups. The cheese and chick peas are a creamy counterpoint to the crunch of the kale (even when wilted). Yum. Just plain yum. 

Want to know more about kale? Check it out: It is high in vitamins A, K and C, and has lots of fiber. You can read more HERE.

What is your favorite kale recipe? 

Have a great day!

~ Felice

Running motivation 4.

One of my favorite quotes ever.

Have a great day! And, while you're at it, check out my page dedicated to running motivation HERE. Yup, I'm quote crazy!

~ Felice

Bob Harper Kettlebell DVD (review & giveaway).

Or: Why my thighs hate Bob.

Recently, I lamented the end of Exercise TV because it had been my go-to option for at-home cross training. I was disappointed and started to look around for other options, including DVDs and kickin' old school by tearing workouts out of magazines. 1990s style. I know, I know. 


When I was invited to try a workout DVD for Yahoo! Shine in conjunction with their new Get it Guide, I was all over it. I picked Bob Harper's Kettlebell workout DVD because, well, I love Bob. I would love to workout with him but since, fortunately, I'd never qualify for The Biggest Loser I think the closest I'll ever come to working out with Bob is via the wonders of modern technology that is the DVD.


And about that DVD. For starters, it came with a 7lb kettlebell, which is a nice starter weight. Having done the workout a few times now, I think I could use a heavier weight or two, just to shake things up. But, the starter kettlebell works well and I have gotten excellent workouts using it with the DVD.


In fact, as I alluded to earlier, my thighs have worked so hard that I really think they have started to hate Bob. Or at least hate all of the squats he requires in this workout. 


Because, honestly, we're talking a lot of squats. Although it looks like the kettlebell would be an arm workout, it is more of a legs/hips/core workout. And that's fine with me because core work is important to running success so anything that works that area will help me in marathon training.


Aside from all of the squats, I liked that Bob explains how to use the kettlebell very clearly and well, without being patronizing. The woman who exercises along with Bob makes some mistakes here and there and Bob corrects her in a way that, I think, makes it so home viewers can learn the right way better. She also sweats like crazy so, if you're a sweater you won't feel so bad!


Overall, I like the workout and have added it to my rotation. I just need to get a heavier kettlebell so I can keep progressing.


Buy it!
You can buy a copy of the Bob Harper: Kettlebell Sculpted BodyDVD at Amazon for $10.99 or you can order directly from Bob Harper's web site HERE for $5.00. But, unfortunately, the kettlebell DVD is on backorder on that site.


Win it!
Or, try your luck and enter my giveaway! One reader will win a copy of Bob Harper's Kettlebell DVD, thanks to Yahoo! Shine Get it Guide.  To enter, leave me a comment letting me know you'd like to win. That's it! Easy peasy.


Additional entries:

As always, you can gain extra entries. Remember, though, you must complete the required entry first! (Leave one comment per entry for the additional ones to count):

• Follow this blog, or let me know that you already do (leave a comment) 
• Become a fan of The Happy Runner on Facebook, or let me know that you already are (leave a comment) 
• Follow me on Pinterest, or let me know that you already do  (leave a comment) 
• Check out the Get it Guide on Yahoo! Shine and let me know one thing you learned (leave a comment)
• Link to this giveaway from Facebook or Twitter (do as often as you'd like, just leave a comment each time) 
• Link to this giveaway from your blog (leave a comment) 

This giveaway will run through Monday, January 30th at 11:59pm EST and the winner will be announced on Tuesday.

Good luck!

~ Felice

Review disclaimer: I was sent a copy of the DVD to review and the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.