They Say It's My Birthday!

I'm really not a big Birthday person (although I do think that everyone should get their Birthday off from work, it's a personal holiday!), but I will celebrate today in honor of my parents. Because obviously, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be having a birthday!

I've put my parents have been through so much during the last 20+ years and I really should thank them every day for all they've done for me. My mom just reminded me that when I was born, it was such a cold Spring that they took me home in my sister's snowsuit! Today it will be almost 80 degrees and tomorrow close to 90! (Global warming?!) I wasn't a troublemaker and I didn't rebel as a teenager, but I was definitely high maintenance. They have encouraged and supported me throughout the years in many endeavours. They have been by my side through exciting times, stressful times, and pretty scary times too. No matter what comes my way, they are there for me, and now my husband, too, and I know they always will be. I can say with 100% confidence that they certainly take this parenting thing seriously!

I love you Mom & Dad! Thanks for everything!

Okay, enough with the sappy stuff!

Last night I tried something new for dinner. I mentioned Wednesday that I picked up a package of Italian Style Sweet Chicken Sausages from Trader Joe's. I never buy stuff like this, but the ingredients were very simple and the nutrition label looked pretty good (although the sodium is a bit high) plus, I wanted to do something a little different and warm weather always makes me think of grilling! We don't have a grill, but we do have a grill pan! I found a long pretzel roll/loaf at a local grocery store yesterday and thought it would be interesting twist rather than regular hot dog rolls! It was definitely a hit with Woody. Well, the whole dinner was, actually.

Chicken sausage on a pretzel roll with sweet potato 'chips' and asparagus (fresh from the farmers market!). I did also get a red pepper spread with eggplant and garlic to go on the sausages instead of ketchup and mustard, but I wasn't so thrilled with it. Woody used it on the sausage, but I opted to a little bit with the asparagus.

No Phone Zone Day
Have you heard about this? It's a campaign started by Oprah to get people to turn off their phones while driving. We're all busy and connected 24/7, but driving while talking on the phone, and worse, texting or emailing is incredibly dangerous - as much as, if not more than - driving drunk! According to Oprah.com, Nearly 500,000 people are injured and 6,000 are killed each year because drivers are talking, texting and e-mailing behind the wheel. That's insane and completely preventable. What's really scary to me, is that it will probably only get worse as more kids, who have grown up with a phone practically attached to their hands, start to drive. If parents aren't setting a good example, the kids are more likely to do it too. This really is something that needs to be paid attention to. As runners, we always have to be on the look out for possible dangers while running - whether it's a pothole in a sidewalk or road, loose dogs, other runners, bikers, and especially drivers. Distracted drivers can be a big problem for us! Check out Oprah.com for more information about the No Phone Zone campaign and sign her pledge while you're there.

If you have a car, do you find it hard to put your phone down?
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Workout Stats -
16mi bike
3x10 hammer curls
3x10 bicep curls
3x10 side arm lifts
3x10 single arm row (each arm)
2x hundred
stretching & foam roller

Jackpot!

A few weeks ago I won an awesome giveaway over on Runners Kitchen - a $50 shopping spree on iherb.com. Having never been to the site until I read the post, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the items they have available! The site is not very easy to move around, but there are a lot of great things for sale, especially if you don't live near a health food store.

It took me a while to make my decisions, but I finally did and last night when I got home from the very fun and well attended Girls on the Run fundraiser, there was a box on our kitchen table from iherb.com! Here is what I got:

The Jojoba oil was specifically for Woody because he uses it every day. It is used for healthy hair and skin. Apparently the best way to use it is to put a bit in your shampoo or conditioner bottle and also add a little to your favorite lotion. The oil is an extract from the jojoba trees in the Sonoran Desert and also helps relieve sunburns (good to know as summer approaches!).

Maca Power is a powder that can be added to foods like yogurt, granola, tea, smoothies, etc, much like flax and chia seeds. Raw Maca powder has been used by Andean societies for thousands of years and improves energy, balance and vitality. The nutrients, vitamins, plant sterols and essential minerals help regulate the endocrine system. Once I read all this and many of the user reviews on iherb.com, I knew I had to try it. The powder does have a very strong scent and a unique flavor, so I only added half a teaspoon to my yogurt mess this morning to get used to it. I definitely could taste it through the Chobani greek yogurt, banana, cinnamon, and flax and chia seeds, but it wasn't a bad taste, just unique. I'll let you know if I start to feel any changes as I keep using it! Worth a try!

We're running low on ground flax seed, so I included a bag of Bob's Redmill Golden Flaxseed Meal. Just a reminder - flax seeds do come in golden and brown. There is no difference between them in nutritional value, so you can go either way. Also, ground flax seed and flax seed meal are simply different terms for the same thing. Either way, ground flax seeds are more beneficial than whole as our bodies have difficulties absorbing and breaking down whole flax seeds.

The Yogi Tea Kava Stress Relief just sounded fantastic. It's caffeine free, which is great for an evening cup of tea. Kava is a crop from the Pacific and is known for it's ability to calm the body and mind and promote a good night's sleep. Who doesn't want that?

The Organic Wild Berry Mix from Eden Foods just sounded delicious and like a good addition to yogurt. I'll probably share this one with Woody since he loves nuts, seeds, and dried blueberries, cranberries and raisins. It must be tasty!

So, that's a tour of what I chose from iherb.com. Abby was a fantastic help and it was very kind of them to offer the shopping spree through Megan's website! I definitely recommend you check out the site, especially if you don't have easy access to health foods and supplements. I also found the user comments very helpful, so be sure to take a few minutes and give them a read before making a decision.

What is your favorite 'health food'?

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Workout Stats -

12mi bike

3x12 leg press

3x12 leg curls

3x10 leg extension

3x10 lat pull downs

3x10 weighted side bends (each side)

3x thru ab circuit including: 30sec plank, seated twists with 10lb core ball, bicycle, hip raises, crunches

stretching and foam roller

Broken Bikes, a Headache, Allergies, and a Local Bus

It's been one of those days, and it's not even noon!

First, woke up at 4:50am with Woody for the gym. It was 40* outside. Got to the gym, two of the three (non-spinning) bikes were broken, the other was occupied. While my heel is starting to feel a little better, my cardio options are still limited. I tried the one open spinning bike, but the TV wasn't working and 5 minutes into the ride I realized the mileage counter wasn't working. What's with that? Adding a few miles on the elliptical to my cardio routine is one of the items on my 'healthy to-do list' for the week, so I decided to try that. I kept looking to see if the bike was opening up. It did, and another woman jumped on before I could get off the elliptical! I ended up doing 3.5 miles on the elliptical. My legs were feeling pretty good, but it wasn't very comfortable for my heel so I decided to keep it relatively short and do some crunches while I waited for the bike to open. By this time, my headache had begun. I'm completely congested because of these annoying allergies that are worse this year than usual.

With one eye on the bike I wanted, I did a short dumb bell workout and a few planks. Time was starting to run short if I wanted to get more cardio in, so I decided to use the recumbant bike that was free. As I wiped it down (I do not trust that the last person who used a machine actually wiped it off) the woman started slowing down and got off the bike! Finally!! I grabbed my stuff and was waiting as she cleaned it off (thank you!). For some reason, when I first got on the bike though, it wouldn't start! Of course! Just my luck! So, after a minute, I tried again and the lights lit up! Whew! So, my bike ride was finally under way and I got in 13.25 miles. Afterwards, I did a bit of stretching, crunches, and used the foam roller. My workout definitely took a lot longer than it should have today and I did not get in nearly as much strength training as I wanted, but I did get it done.

After my workout I went down to the farmers market at Union Square to get a few things. You can definitely tell it is Spring, the market was busy! A lot of vendors are back for the season and there was a lot to choose from! I wish I could have bought more, but I limited my items to: asparagus, sweet potatoes and apples. In addition to our weekly staples, at Trader Joe's I picked up wild salmon, all natural sweet Italian style chicken sausages, a red pepper, eggplant, and garlic spread and a bag of brown rice medley. I have a few good dinners planned for the rest of the week, including one for my Birthday! On my way home I learned once and for all that I should always wait for a limited bus when I'm that far downtown. I had just missed one and figured it would be a while before the next one came, so I got on a local. BIG mistake.

Let's back up a minute to last week. I made a few things I want to share with you. First, was this really easy and tasty 'slaw.' Just a few ingredients: pre-cut cabbage, red, yellow, and orange peppers, and carrots (all thinly sliced using a peeler) and a little bit of extra virgin olive oil and pepper. Super easy and really delicious.

We used it three ways. Here, cut a mini pita in half, spread hummus on the sides and then stuffed with the slaw and a little bit of feta cheese.

Woody topped some grilled chicken with the slaw for dinner while I used it here under the asaparagus that I baked in the oven with extra virgin olive oil and pepper wrapped in foil. I cut up a few purple potatoes, put them on foil with evoo and garlic, wrapped that up and threw it in the oven too. The oven was on double duty that night! Both the potatoes and asparagus can be in at the same time, but potatoes definitely need to go in before the asparagus.

How do you deal with a gym workout that doesn't go as you had planned?

One more plug for the GOTRM event tonight from 6-8pm at Lugo Caffe (1 Penn Plaza). Hope to see you there!
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Workout Stats -
13.25mi bike
3.5mi elliptical
3x10 front arm raise
3x10 overhead tricep extension
75 crunches
2x35sec planks
stretching and foam roller

Not Just for Men

Today I’m taking a little break from running and food talk, to talk about something else that I don’t think a lot of people are aware of: The Women’s Football Alliance (WFA). A friend of mine from college, Tracy, is in her 2nd season with the Keystone Assault, a team that plays full-contact football in Enola, PA.

Originally from Clarkston, Michigan, Tracy was always very active, playing many sports throughout the years, although softball and marching band (yes, considered a sport by those involved) were her favorite. At MSU, she was a section leader in the Spartan Marching Band and Spartan Brass, which performs at basketball and hockey games. After graduation, she lived in New Jersey for four years before moving to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she spends her days as the Sr. Art Director for a marketing and communications firm.

Truthfully, I had no idea what Tracy was talking about when she first told me she was starting to play football. I had no idea there was a women’s league in this country, although I had met a woman in Germany who plays in a league there. I thought it was really interesting that there is this league of active women playing one of America’s greatest sports that gets very little attention. Recently I asked Tracy to tell us a bit about the WFA since it is a great way for women to stay active and deserves more attention. Here is what she told me:

EMR: Can you tell us about the Women’s Football Alliance and the Keystone Assault?
TK: The Keystone Assault was formed in 2008 by area players and coaches who had experience with another local team. Our Coach, Tim Smart is fantastic and has several years of experience coaching women’s football. The WFA is consists of 41 teams - from Philadelphia all the way to San Diego.

EMR: How is the league organized? How long is the season?
TK: The league is organized in two conferences (National and American) and 11 regions. We held tryouts in September and October and we started conditioning in November. Full-gear practices start in January. We practice Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for two hours each. The season length depends on how well we play during the season! The regular season begins in April and ends mid-June. Playoffs run into July.

EMR: How often do you travel for games?
TK: We have four away games this season. We are responsible for our own travel, but we car pool. We travel to Connecticut, NY, Baltimore and NJ this season.

EMR: What pre-conceptions did you have about women’s football when you were just getting into it? Did they turn out to be true?
TK: I had the help of YouTube. There were a lot of videos out there of different teams. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. I was right, it's definitely NOT powder puff. It's real. It's dangerous. You can get hurt. But - it can be fun, after all, it's supposed to be fun.

EMR: Can you describe the average player?
TK: I adore my teammates. Their backgrounds and ages vary. There are moms, working professionals, we even have a flight nurse and doctor on our team. Children are always welcome at practice.

EMR: How long have you been playing and why did you decide to start?
TK: This is my second season on the team. I started after my boyfriend, Tommy, encouraged me to do so. It was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. I have met so many wonderful people and playing has given me the opportunity to return to my athletic roots. EMR: What keeps you playing? TK: The women I play football with and the coaches who coach me keep me going. It's such a great feeling being a part of a team that has a common goal. Although it's tough, I love it, because it's fun.

EMR: What type of reaction do you get when you tell someone for the first time that you play full-contact football?
TK: The same reaction almost every time; "Full-contact?" "Do you wear pads?" "Like REAL football?"

EMR: You were voted Team Captain this season. What all does that entail? What is your leadership style?
TK: I was voted one of 4 team captains by my peers. It entails a few things, leading warm ups, keeping spirits up and representing the team on game days. My style is simple, I'm not mean, I give positive reinforcement and try to pump my teammates up whenever I can. I'm use to leading people and I love it. (Reminds me of my Band days at MSU.) It is an honor to be a captain of this football team. We are so talented and this season is our opportunity to make a statement in the league.

EMR: What is game day like?
TK: Wow, I know I don't have to tell you about game day… Game Day is AMAZING it is our opportunity to show what we are made of. And it gives us the opportunity to hit someone else, instead of each other.

EMR: Why should people attend a Keystone Assault game?
TK: People should come to a game because they will experience something amazing and a little random. We're a part of the community and it's an inexpensive way to spend a Saturday with your family. And, it's one of those thing-you really need to see to believe. Women CAN and do play football.

EMR: What are your hopes for the team and league?
TK: This year our goal is to beat Philadelphia, Baltimore and make the playoffs. We are going to make a statement. We're under the radar, and it's our opportunity to show everyone how good we are.

Click HERE for more info on the Keystone Assault!

GOTR Fundraiser Reminder: if you're in NYC, come out to Lugo Caffe tomorrow night, 6-8pm to support the local chapter of Girls on the Run! Not only will 15% of all proceeds go to GOTRM, but there will be great raffle prizes (like a tour of the Teen Vogue office, Bootcamp classes, and restaurant gift certificates) and a pretty incredible silent auction including signed sports memorabilia, Yankee's tickets, and a necklace from Tiffany's. Plus, you'll get to meet me!

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Workout Stats -
14mi bike
3x10 hammer curls
3x10 bicep curls
3x10 side arm lifts
3x10 weighted side bends (ea side)
3x10 weighted seated twists
stretching & foam roller

It's Quiet Around Here

This was a great weekend! Lots of walking, laughing, eating, laughing, rain, running (them, not me), a bachelorette party and now, exhaustion! It was so fun to have Melody and Julie visit. We got to catch up on a lot and get the scoop on all of Melody's wedding plans (Julie and I are bridesmaids for her June 5 wedding!). The weather Friday and Saturday could not have been better. Unfortunately, Sunday and this morning was miserable, but that happens sometimes.

This was Melody's first time in the city, so we walked around quite a bit Friday afternoon, seeing many sights, including Grand Central (where there was a great Earth Day Festival), Bryant Park, and Times Square.

After breakfast at the Boathouse in Central Park Saturday morning, we walked through the park to hit up the MORE/Fitness Magazine Half Marathon expo at Roseland Ballroom. This expo was much better than the NYC Half Marathon expo that I volunteered for, and the goodie bag was fantastic! We checked out all the vendors, Melody bought a running belt, Julie a pair of running capris, and we tried out Skinny Water (still too sugary for me) and Silk Soy and Almond milk. The volunteers were great, the process completely smooth and the atmosphere was high energy, fueled by many excited women!

Then we checked out the first day of the new Hester St Market on the Lower East Side. I definitely don't think they anticipated so many people, all of the food vendors were running out by mid-afternoon and the very small space was packed. When someone came through with a stroller, there was hardly room to move. The market is a great idea and a good addition to the neighborhood, just wish they had more space! I'll probably go back with Woody, if only for a St-Viateur bagels driven to NYC from Montreal by the new-ish Brooklyn restaurant, Mile End, each Saturday morning. We had these bagels when we were in Montreal last summer and loved them. Dare I say, I may love them more than most NYC bagels?!

These are not the St-Viateur bagels, but bread from another food vendor at the market.

We woke up at 6am Sunday morning to rain. It rained all throughout the race, but Julie and Melody were amazing and finished with smiles! I went to cheer them on and was able to see them twice on the route and just before the finish line! I was completely inspired by all the women who got out there, even in the pouring rain and cold temps to run 13.1 miles through Central Park! What dedication! I really wish I had been able to run with Julie and Melody, but there was really no way I would have been able to do it. Hopefully we'll have another chance in the future to run a race together! Julie made these awesome shirts for the race - ours say 'bridesmaid' and Melody's says 'Bride in training'! So cute! I wore mine even though I wasn't running, of course!

Melody & Julie just before getting in their corral.

Post race smiles and fuel!

 The best picture from Melody's bachelorette 'party' (drinks and then dinner & a show at Lucky Changs!) is still on Melody's camera. Let's just say it was an interesting and hilarious night that involved drag queens and karaoke! I think all three of us are still recovering. I hope they both got some sleep on the plane!

Have you run a race in pouring rain before? How do you push through the mental challenges to finish the race?

Random note - thinking about Brett Michaels and hoping he recovers soon! It's so tragic whenever anyone suffers from something so life threatening. Another reminder to enjoy every single day.
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Workout Stats -
45min bike
stretching

Girls Weekend Begins!!

This will be a VERY quick post as Melody is already in a car and on her way here from LGA!!! I'm so excited that she and Julie are coming for the weekend, even though I won't be able to run the Half Marathon with them like I had been hoping. My vision of what this weekend was going to be like has changed drastically (one lovely lady couldn't join us afterall, for a very good reason, and there are even threats of heavy rain for Sunday! eek!) but we will still have a great time! In the end, that's what it's really all about anyway.

I had totally forgotten about a Step Up Women's Network Power Breakfast that was scheduled for this morning until I received the reminder email yesterday! Oops! I was so eager to sign up for it, I forgot to put it in my calendar later. This morning we were lucky enough to meet with Tracy Gardner, President of Retail and Direct for J. Crew. Now, I love J. Crew, so I had to attend this breakfast, even though Melody's flight was going to land not long after it was over. I am definitely a J Crew girl and my bridesmaids even wore dresses from the J Crew ocassions line. I do think their prices can be a bit expensive sometimes, and shop the sales more than not, but last year I scheduled a personal shopping appointment at one of the stores in the city and was shocked by how great it turned out! I thought I might be pressured to buy a lot, but I really wasn't. And, my personal shopper put me in things I had never even thought would even look okay on me, but they looked amazing and it was really just what I needed. Seriously, I recommend this to any woman who wants a little help with her wardrobe. I've used what I learned that day when I go shopping anywhere, and it's really helped me step out of the rut I had been in for so long. I wish there were personal shoppers at running stores to help with shoes, apparel and gear! Wouldn't that be great?! Anyway, we got a special treat and also met Mickey Drexler, the CEO of J. Crew! Those two are so passionate about what they do and really love it. It was really inspiring to see people who care so much and really want to do the best, innovate, and do what it takes to be at the forefront of their industry. They care about their customers and the quality and authenticity of their products and brand. I don't think you see that very often anymore. It's also cool that Mickey Drexler is on the Board of Directors for Apple. He personally knows Steve Jobs and gets emails from him in the middle of the night! Can you imagine?

So, I have some food pics to show you, but don't have time to upload them now. Guess they'll have to wait till Monday, which will probably be the next time I post. We finished up the asparagus last night and it was fantastic! I have to say, I love the taste of asparagus, but I'm not really a fan of the after effect, if you know what I mean!

Quick injury update: I got the cortisone shot yesterday. My endocrinologist gave the okay, so we went ahead. It didn't hurt nearly as much as I was expecting it might, but there were definitely moments that were quite uncomfortable! He also did another ultrasound treatment then taped it up. My heel felt really strange as I walked home and it definitely still hurt through the rest of the day, but it's feeling okay today. I guess I thought it would feel better right away, like the novicane treatment, but apparently that's not how it works! We'll see. Hopefully I'll only need one more treatment on Tuesday and I'll be back and running soon!! Oh, this seems to be taking forever!

Okay, off to have fun with my girls!! (We'll miss you Jenny!!) Send good thoughts our way that it doesn't rain until after 12pm on Sunday.

Thanks Mel for linking to my '40 Years' post from yesterday! Good luck to anyone running races this weekend!

Melody just arrived! Can't you tell we're psyched for this weekend!

Are you passionate about your job? Do you think passion, in work or play, creates exceptional results?

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Workout Stats -
Quick workout today
9mi bike
stretching and foam roller

40 Years

40 years ago today, the environmental movement began. A lot of things were brewing in the United States at that time, and a lot of people started to recognize the damage that was being done to the environment by big businesses and common citizens alike. Industrial pollutions was running rampant and littering wasn't didn't even spur a second thought. On April 22nd, 1970, rallies and protests were held across the country on college campuses, at state capitols, in front of the headquarters of large corporations. By bringing attention to the issue, the people were able to make change. Four major events occurred because of that first Earth Day: the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water and the Endangered Species Acts.

A lot of progress has been made in the past 40 years, but there is still a lot to be done. We're facing global warming and only we can turn this around so many more generations will be able to enjoy the things we often take for granted. We spend hours running in parks, hiking mountains, boating in lakes and oceans, fishing in streams, and breathing fresh air. We should do all we can to make sure that our great great grandchildren can do the same.

The thing is, it's really not that difficult to make a difference. Every little thing we do, the little changes we make to our daily habits make a huge difference when you multiply them by all the little things that everyone else does. Here are a few quick things that hardly take any extra time:

1. Use resuable bags when shopping. Not only for food, but even when running quick errands around town.
2. Buy a reusable, BPA-free bottle and fill it up at home and from drinking fountains rather than buying bottled water on the go. Not only will you save money, but you'll also be helping the environment. plus. there are so many styles, colors, and sizes now, they are much more fun and 'cooler' than bottled water, too!
3. Take a travel mug to your local coffee shop or truck and ask them to fill it up rather than a paper cup.
4. Turn off the lights. Simple enough, right? It's amazing how many buildings are lit up 24hrs a day all over this city because people don't turn off the lights in their offices!
5. Eat organic foods whenever possible (HERE's the list of top foods to eat organic).
6. Shop at local farmers markets and buy in season fruits and vegetables as often as possible. HERE's a great site provided by Tricia, where you can see what's fresh in your state.
7. Recycle everything you can. Even clothing and textiles. In NYC, the Council on the Environment NYC has booths at farmers markets throughout the city each week where you can drop off basically any old textile for recylcing - clothes, shoes, hats, coats, linens, even belts and handbags! Go HERE for more details.
8. Instead of getting in the car, cab or even the subway, walk to your next destination.
9. Cardio equipment in the gym uses a LOT of energy. Once a week, workout in a park or take a run, walk or bike ride around your neighborhood instead of heading to the gym.
10. Instead of turning on the air conditioner at the first sign or warm weather, open your windows and let the fresh air in!

What is your favorite green tip?

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Workout Stats -
15mi bike
200 crunches
2x30sec planks
stretching and foam roller

Girls On The Run Manhattan

Last night I met with the communications committee for the Manhattan chapter of Girls on the Run for our first meeting for the Spring season. The season actually started last month, but there is still a lot to do to get the word out about the local chapter and the great things that GOTR is doing for girls, and women, all over the city! I'm so excited to get involved with the organization!

If you're not familiar with GOTR, here is some info from the website:
GOTR Manhattan is an interactive life-skills program that uses the power of running to change the way girls see themselves and their opportunities! Our innovative health education and wellness program uniquely combines training for a 3.1 mile run/walk event with life-changing, self esteem enhancing lessons that encourage healthy habits and an active lifestyle in 8-12 year old girls. Girls learn to stretch themselves - physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally - and in the process, are inspired to a lifetime of self respect and healthy living!

This program is just what young girls need, especially now as kids are dealing with more stress than ever before and childhood obesity is a huge problem. There are 41 sites in NYC this year, including public, charter, and private schools. The majority of funding for GOTR comes from donations raised through the SoleMates running program (runners who raise money for GOTR while training for races such as the NYC Half, ING NYC Marathon and others around the country) and grants. There is a fee for schools to participate, but many schools are also able to receive scholarships so their girls can participate and learn valuable skills through the program. 

From time to time, GOTRM also holds fundraisers. Next Wednesday will be the first one for the season and if you're in NYC, I encourage you to come! Here are the details:
When: April 28, 2010  6-8pm
Where: Lugo, 33rd St and 8th Ave (www.lugocaffe.com)
What: 15% of all sales between 6pm and 8pm will go to Girls on the Run Manhattan. Plus, there will be a raffle and auction featuring items including: Yank's LEGEND tickets, cool accessories from Bikini Thief and an authentic Ranger's jersey from Marion Gaborik!
Let me know if you have any questions or if you're going to stop by. I'd love to meet you! Also, please spread the word about this great event! The more people who stop by, the more money we'll raise to help provide running and learning opportunities for young girls!

Aside from the extremely valuable SoleMates, GOTR also relies on a large number of volunteers to keep running. Some volunteers work on committees (like the communications committee), others volunteer as coaches, and even more participate as one time volunteers as Running Buddies for the 5K race at the end of each season. If you're interested in being a Running Buddy, click HERE to sign up!

I can't wait to tell you more about the organization as I work with them. If you have experience with GOTR, please tell us about it! Also, if you don't know her already, head over to Running Diva Mom's blog. She's a huge supporter of GOTR in Wisconsin and her blog is really inspiring and fun!

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Workout Stats -
17mi bike
2mi post workout walk
3x10 lat pulldowns
On bosu ball:
3x10 bicep curls
3x10 hammer curls
balance work (my foot injury has screwed up my balance on my right leg!)
stretching & foam roller

More Adventures in Cooking

In yesterday's post I mentioned that I picked up a bunch of items at the farmers market and TJ's to try out some new meals this week. Well, I got right to it and surprised Woody with a pretty good dinner! It was the first try with both, so there are things I'll do differently next time, but overall the meal was a success.

One farmer at the market yesterday was selling fresh asparagus. I've wanted to try preparing asparagus myself for a while, but it seems like a difficult thing to get right. So often it's either mushy or hard. Unsure how to choose the right bunch, I asked a woman who was also looking at the selection and had obviously cooked asparagus before. She explained that you want spears that are tight at the top, nice and green throughout and that don't look 'woody.' She thought all of them looked very fresh and I couldn't go wrong with any bunch. While asparagus is very low in calories and sodium, it's a great source of folic acid, and a good source of vitamin B6, potassium, fiber and thalamin. Also, it's one of the best sources of rutin, which helps to strengthen capillary walls. After seeing a chef win "Chopped" on the Food Network over the weekend partially because of his spectacular grilled asparagus, I decided that is how I'd prepare it! (using a grill pan, because we obviously don't have a grill in our apartment!)

Preparation tip: store fresh asparagus in the refrigerator standing up in either a bowl or mug with a bit of water in the bottom to keep the tips wet. When ready to cook, wash the spears and then bend them gently at the bottom end until they snap. That snap is natural and gives you a good edge. (I saw this on another Food Network show last week and wasn't sure about it when I started, but it worked!)

Next was a variation on a pizza recipe I saw in Real Simple magazine (unfortunately I can't find a link on the website). I used TJ's whole wheat dough, purple potatoes from the market instead of the red ones the recipe called for, garlic, evoo and some left over chicken pieces from my takeout dinner the night before.

The purple potatoes definitely add an interesting look to this pizza, but they taste fantastic! Knowing how the heat effects the components, next time I'll use more potato slices (maybe a mix of purple and red), either more garlic or onion, and spread the dough thinner. Woody and I like thicker crust, so we enjoyed it, but it would be nice a tiny bit thinner.

I added a few grape tomatoes on the grill pan for the last few minutes and in the end, this is what Woody's plate looked like:

Not too bad if you ask me. We were both very happy with how it turned out. I think Woody is a bit surprised by all the cooking I've been doing lately. Having the time cook is one of the few good things about being unemployed. With plenty of asparagus left, I will try another recipe or two, so check back later this week for more!

In injury news: my foot doc was concerned about giving me cortisone since I have a history of high cortisol with Cushing's Disease, so to play it safe he did a treatment using pricks of novicane in the area instead. This obviously doesn't work as well as cortisone, but he didn't want to take the chance. Then, he followed up with another ultrasound treatment and taped my foot. It didn't hurt the rest of the day and is still feeling okay now, after my workout. I am hoping to hear from my endocrinologist soon, to get his thoughts on cortisone. Hopefully he will give the go ahead. For now, my foot doc has left the ultimate decision up to me, but said that running the half marathon on Sunday will undoubtedly set me back in my progress and could make my injury worse. Needless to say, I was (and still am) not happy to hear that. It's incredibly disappointing but, I'll be the loudest cheerleader out there on the course and my friends and I will still have a great time this weekend!

Do you have any plans for Earth Day?

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Workout Stats -
16mi bike ride
150 crunches
2x30 sec planks
stretching & foam roller

Boston Day

Are you watching the race? Probably not. I'm guessing that you're hard at work and unable to park yourself infront of a TV. Well, you can get live updates and watch on Universal Sports if you can't watch it on TV (also Univ. Sports). I have to admit, I've never watched this before. Being more of a casual runner than a hard core racer, the only marathon I really cared about was NYC. Now, after finishing NYC and intimately understanding the dedication, time, hard work and emotions that go into running a marathon, I have even more respect and admiration for the runners out there on the streets of Boston today. Plus, knowing runners, either through blogs or real life: Jenn of Running Sane and April of April on the Run for example, I feel like I have a tiny connection to the race and more of a reason to watch. It's interesting to hear the commentary, to see the leaders, and see where the route, but I think it's much better to watch a race in person. The crowds look and sound pretty great there, just like here in NYC. It's a bit more impressive and inspiring to see it all from the sidelines.

Boston isn't a goal of mine, so I'm not sitting here watching and dreaming of 'one day' like others must be. I do feel horrible for the hundreds of runners who weren't able to run today because they are stuck in other countries unable to fly to the US due to the volcano. So sad. I can only imagine how disappointed they must be and the pain in their hearts they must be feeling today as they miss this race. I hope the Boston Athletic Association will allow them to defer to next year so they still have an opportunity. Still, it's really sad.

In more personal running news: I still haven't given up on the idea of running the MORE/Fitness Magazine Half Marathon this Sunday. My foot is not 100% yet and I still haven't run, but I have a podiatrist appointment at noon today and after talking with Woody yesterday, I've decided to go for the cortizone shot today. I've held off because I hear it's quite painful and I'm not sure how hard/easy it will be for me to get home afterwards, but it is supposed to help speed recovery and that's what I need.

In food: I've picked up a lot of fun veggies and ingredients at the farmers market and TJ's and look forward to trying some new recipes this week. I'll let you know how they turn out!

Have you ever watched a race on TV? Have you ever gone to a race to cheer on the runners?
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Workout Stats -
20mi bike
3x10 weighted side bends (ea side)
3x10 leg press
3x10 leg extension
3x10 overhead tricep extension
stretching and foam roller

Best Made Plans

Woody signed us up online for a two week free trial of 24hr Fitness (the Derek Jeter gym) and we planned to activate it this morning. So, we got up, got ready and headed out for the subway. There are only three 24hr Fitness gyms in the city, none too close, and Woody chose the Madison Square Park location for our trial. Sounded great to me, I love the area and it's close to Union Square so I could hop down there Monday morning for apples and my weekly trip to TJ's. The city is pretty dead at 7:30am Sunday mornings. Really quiet. We got off at 28th St to walk down and we ran into a movie shoot on Madison Ave! Lots of extras dressed in 1920's-30's outfits and old cars. They had even changed the outside of some of the buildings by adding period store signs. I asked one of the production crew what movie it was and he said it's for HBO. Pretty cool.

Anyway, we got to 24Hr Fitness and it was pretty quiet. Walked up to the desk, Woody pulled out the online passes and the guy said we had to meet with a membership counselor in order to activate it, and unfortunately they don't arrive on Sunday mornings until 11am. Well, that wasn't going to do us much good at 8am. Quite disappointed in the situation, we knew there was a NYSC close by so we walked to the 23rd St gym. I'm all for switching up the atmosphere when working out and while I really wasn't too thrilled that we couldn't go to 24hr Fitness, at least there was another gym nearby and we didn't have to go back uptown without a workout. The 23rd St gym had a few good things about it. (1) lots of windows and natural light, (2) the cardio floor wasn't as crowded as our gym and had really high ceilings, (3) wasn't crowded at all, (4) nice locker rooms. Unfortunately, Woody said the weight room in the basement was dismal, hot, and a mess. He couldn't get out of there fast enough. And, like our gym, weights were scattered all around and it wasn't all that clean (even though a woman was going around vacuuming. Strange). I don't understand why some gyms are so uninviting. Shouldn't they be bright and energizing? Oh, I wish I could start my own gym sometimes! There was a pilates reformer room, which I thought was cool, but those classes are an additional cost at NYSC.

We decided on our walk to NYSC that we'd try to salvage the morning by stopping by PUMP for breakfast after our workout since there is one close by. PUMP is a great restaurant that doesn't use any butter and doesn't fry anything. They're all about the healthy foods. We used to absolutely love them, but they've made several changes over the last year, as they've expanded, that I'm not too fond of (like taking the baked falafel off the menu). Still, there isn't one close to us and they have some great sounding breakfast options. We walked over, closed. Apparently they don't open till 11am on Sunday. (I'm sensing a theme here). A big dejected, we walked back to Park and picked up a bus to head back uptown. Not a great morning. We were starving by the time we got home and I made a big bowl of oatmeal, banana, strawberries, pb, flax and chia seeds. It hit the spot.

Guess we had a better morning than the thousands of people trying to travel who are stranded because of the volcano eruption in Iceland though, so I really shouldn't complain.

Quick backtrack to yesterday since I never once turned on the computer:
I rode the stationary bike at the gym for 26 miles. Yes, almost a marathon on the bike! Reminicent of a recent Biggest Loser episode! I figure that if by some miracle I'm able to run the half marathon next weekend, I'll need to know I can make it 2+ hours. So, a 2hr bike ride should help get me ready, right? At least more so than my usual 1hr rides. I felt pretty good afterwards (although a little bored) and had to make sure I got enough calories in me throughout the day. I wasn't really hungry, but I know how my body works. After a good long workout (like when I was training for the marathon) I lose my appetite after my initial meal, but the next day can be torturous. Hungry all the time. Yesterday I took a pre-emptive strike and so far it seems to be working well!

We went to the farmers market where we found carrots as big as my forearm! Seriously. Woody brought a few home. We already had carrots here, but I think he's amused by how incredibly large they are.

I did try something new last night. I bought multi-colored popcorn from the bulk section at Fairway last time I was there, so I put some in a paper lunch bag, folded it closed a few times a put it in the microwave. We weren't sure how it would turn out, but it worked well! Cheaper and healthier! This is definitely the way to go.

Will you be watching the Boston Marathon tomorrow? You can check it out on Universal Sports.

Good luck to all the runners!

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Workout Stats -

4/17:

26mi bike

100 crunches

stretching, foam roller

4/18:

14mi bike

200 crunches

3x10 upright row

3x10 seated row

3x10 front arm raise

3x10 bent side arm raise

stretching

Meditative Running

If you got the May issue of Runner's World you most likely read the piece by Claire Trageser entitled "Transcendental Steps" about her adventure at the Shambhala Mountain Center in Colorado and her attempt to find joy in running again through meditation. I found this article to be very interesting because, as I've mentioned before, I often use my runs as a time to contemplate my problems, vent frustrations, and think about the day ahead or what I'm going to eat when I get home. The idea of meditative running is completely new to me.

Trageser's story recounts her journey while attending the center's "Running with the Mind of Meditation and Yoga" program. The program features meditation sessions, group runs, yoga classes and healthy vegetarian meals. They sleep in tents and run on mountain trails. The program is based on the ideas of the Shambhala's spiritual director, the Sakyong (the Shambhala is a borderless kingdom of meditation practitioners committed to realizing enlightenment and social harmony through daily life.). The forty-eight year old leader who has run eight marathons, teaches the idea of meditation in action, and that the practice of meditation while running allows the runner not only to enjoy running more, but also to become a better runner. The ChiRunning method feels the same way about meditative running. The philosophy contends that through meditative practice while running, the runner will find mental focus and clarity and be able to decrease pain and injury while increasing the level of enjoyment found in the exercise.

The Sakyong believes that mind and body are meant to be united, and by focusing on movement and breathing and what is happening at that moment in time, rather than planning out the rest of the day or thinking about problems, a runner will become stronger and find joy and satisfaction in running. He recommends transfering themes used in seated meditation such as awareness, mindfulness, and satisfaction to the act of running and practicing meditation in action. By letting the mind go and wander, the body will begin to feel weak and tired. By focusing on the present, the mind will be aware and the body strong. There is no expectation for a runner to be completely centered on breath and movement for the entire run, or to be able to do it without practice, but it is meant to be a path to become a stronger, happier, more fulfilled runner. There are a few videos on the Sakyong's website that I found very interesting. They are each only a few minutes long and explain how runners can practice meditation in action and why it is useful. Click HERE to watch "Body and Mind" where the Sakyong explains his method of running, and HERE to see "Meditation in Action" on how to incorporate this idea into every day life.

What are your thoughts on meditative running? Have you tried this before or do you try to solve the worlds problems while you run?

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Workout Stats -
13.75 mi bike
200 crunches
3x10 bicep curls
3x10 hammer curls
3x10 weighted side bends (ea side)
3x10 lat pull downs
stretching

Fruitzi'o Giveaway Winner!!

According to Random.org, the winner of the Fruitzi'o Giveaway is:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
2
Timestamp: 2010-04-15 12:36:08 UTC

Duckierose!!!
 
Please send me an email at lmhansen @ hotmail.com, so the great people at Fruitzi'o can send you your prize!
 
Congratulations!

My Dream Town

Since I was laid off, quite a few people have asked me if Woody and I would leave New York City. I always find this to be an odd question because I never would even think that people would leave their cities or towns because someone lost their job. Woody has a great job, we have an apartment here, and I would like to think that I have just as many chances (if not more) of finding a job here as anywhere else. That doesn't mean we haven't discussed moving, we have for a while, but more in terms of 'some day.' We know we won't live here for the rest of our lives - we're mid-western kids at heart and want to own a home one day. While we've discussed it a bit, I've been thinking of the place where I'd like to move some day more, since people started asking me about it.

Whenever I go home, like this past weekend, I think about how I couldn't live there any longer. At least not in that particular town. It's too spread out and people are forced to drive everywhere. That's just not who I am anymore. It's great to visit, but after living in the city for 6 years now (wow, I just realized I passed my 6 yr anniversary!), I am addicted to walking everywhere. I need and crave that movement and activity. So, here is just a small list of the things I'd look for in a city if we were to move. It's interesting, because most of them have something to do with living out a healthy lifestyle.

1. Clean air
2. Grass and parks
3. At least one body of water nearby
4. Walkable town
5. Ability to be a one hybrid car family
6. Running/walking trails (and golf courses for Woody) close by
7. Races within easy driving distance
8. Emphasis in the community on recycling, health, and fitness
9. A local farmers market
10. Family friendly
11. A plethora of cultural activities - concerts, art exhibits, museums, etc.
12. A growing or stable economy

These are all characteristics of my ideal town. I'd love to wake up, go for a run and then walk to downtown to pick up groceries or have brunch and stop by a good bookstore. To visualize it, it is completely different from where we live right now, but it sounds exactly the same. Don't get me wrong, after living here we won't be moving to a small town hours away from an airport, but someplace with a slightly slower pace.

I wouldn't mind a view like this!

I believe that where we live plays such a huge part in our happiness. Do you love where you live and wouldn't trade it for any other place? Or do you dream of something else? What are your top 'must haves'?
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Workout Stats -
13.5mi bike
200 crunches
2x25 sec planks
3x10 ea: leg curl, leg extension, leg press

Healthy, Easy Eats

I've been trying out a few new meals that I thought I'd share with you. They're all pretty easy, filling, and healthy.

Last week I used some mini pitas to make pizza's for dinner. Since it was my first try with this, there are a few things I'd change for next time, but overall, both Woody and I really enjoyed this dinner.

On the pizza - cooked squash, zuchini, onion and tomato (added for the last few minutes only), feta and olive oil. The veggies were cooked then placed on the pita, which had been brushed with EVOO, and feta put on top. Then baked in the oven for about 10-12 minutes. The veggies were seasoned just with pepper.
The salad - some extra veggies plus cooked turnips.

This week I decided to make a rice bowl for dinner. I actually did this both Monday and Tuesday night, but the picture from Monday did not turn out well (my camera isn't great in low light). I cooked a pot of long grain brown rice and added combinations of cooked veggies.
Monday - brown rice, spinach, broccoli, chick peas, sliced almonds and a little avocado.
Tuesday - brown rice, carrots, green beans, chick peas, sliced almonds and some avocado.

The mix is delicious and nutritious! I've been hearing a lot of great things about chickpeas and decided it was about time to incorporate them into more of my meals. They're high in protein and fiber so they fill you up. It's also low in cholesterol and sodium. (quick tip: if using canned beans, drain and rinse them before using to get rid of some of the sodium and extra calories).

For lunch yesterday I tried something a little different. When at home over the weekend my Mom and I were at a grocery store picking up ingredients for lunch that I was cooking and we found this cool flatbread called Flatout. Have you seen these? We picked them up for me to make chips to go with hummus, but I brought one back to NY with me. I was going to smear some pb on it while in the airport waiting for my plane, but that didn't end up happening. Instead, I used half of one for my lunch yesterday. I cooked up some spinach and an egg (eggwhite & half the yolk) in the microwave and two very mini sweet potatoes in the oven. Using half the flatbread I spread the sweetpotato on the bread and added the egg & spinach. I have to say, it was pretty great.

I paired it with some veggies and my daily apple! I have to find these Flatouts here in the city!

What is your favorite way to eat sweet potatoes?

Don't forget! Today's the last day to enter the Fruitzi'o giveaway! Click HERE to enter.

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Workout Stats -
13mi bike
2 mi elliptical (first time in 3+ weeks. okay, but bothered my heel a tiny bit)
3x10 (ea side) weighted twists
3x10 overhead bicep extensions
3x10 (ea side) tricep kick backs
3x10 tricep dips
100 crunches
stretching and foam roller

Playing The Game

I'm playing the 'wait and see' game.

Yesterday I mentioned one of my Monday Miracles was that my foot injury seemed to be improving since the amount of pain and discomfort I was experiencing was decreasing. I went to see the Foot Doc yesterday for another ultrasound treatment and to be taped up again. While he was happy to hear about the progress, he also said that I need to continue with the bike, add the elliptical if it feels okay, but I can't run yet (which I wasn't planning to do anyway). I have another treatment on Thursday and he'll check things out again then, but I may not be able to run until next week.

This is not great news. I was hoping to run this weekend. This makes me quite a bit nervous about the race next week. Obviously I won't be setting a PR, but I want to get through it! 13.1 miles is quite a long way when you haven't run for almost 4 weeks. I'd like to think that my cardio conditioning is up to par since I've been biking so much, but my legs are not used to the motion of running at this point. So, I'm playing the wait and see game and hopefully I'll turn out the winner! I'm really looking forward to my friends coming into town for the race and I want to run it with them! (I promise ladies, I'm doing all I can! I have my foot wrapped with a heating pad now!)

If I'm given the okay to run before the race next week, I'm going to do it. I may walk a good deal of it, but I don't want to miss out on the experience. If you're a new runner or thinking about your first half marathon, this isn't the best plan of action, but I'm hoping that my training for the marathon last year, the runs I got in pre-injury and the hours I've spent on the stationary bike will help me power through the two loops of the park. Plus, the encouragement and support from my awesome friends!

Don't forget to enter the Fruitzi'o giveaway for some delicious snacks!
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Workout Stats -
my legs were pretty stiff today after my strength training yesterday, but the foam roller and stretching helped to loosen them up. I'll use my stick a few times throughout the day.
15mi bike
175 crunches
2 planks (w/ exercise ball)
stretching
foam roller

Monday Miracles

Welcome to a new week!

It seems like Monday is the most dreaded day of the week.I wonder why that is. Just because for most people, it means going back to work after a couple days off? I definitely see that point of view, but I also think Monday's are a great time to start anew, set new goals and plan something new. If last week wasn't so great, or even if it was good, this one can be even better. Who knows who you may meet, what outstanding news you might get, or how great a particular run or workout might be. Maybe the sun and cool weather has something to do with my good mood and bright outlook this morning! I'm not sure!

I got home last night around 10 from my very quick (less than 48hrs) trip to Michigan. I had a great time and am so glad that I went. It was wonderful to see family Saturday night and celebrate my Great Aunt & Uncle's 50th Wedding Anniversary. They're such amazing people who have done so many great things for others and the 97 people who were there represent just a small number of people who have been touched by them over the years. I wonder if Woody and I will have so many people celebrating with us when we reach 50 years!?

So, today's two Monday Miracles:
1. I woke up at 5am to go to the gym, even though I only had about 11 hours of sleep the two nights before - combined. AND, I had a strong, productive workout! I needed two days off from the gym. My legs were fresh and ready to work!
2. My foot continues to feel better and I am very optimistic that I'll be running by the end of the week (maybe before!). I'm not going to push it too fast, but it's feeling pretty good! I was starting to wonder if that would ever happen.
2.5 I just finished eating a delicious bowl of peanut butter & jelly w/banana oatmeal! PB&Co Dark Chocolate Dreams and Cherry Republic Cherry Jam! Yum!!

Before:

After!

Do you have a Monday Miracle?
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Workout Stats -
13.25mi bike
100 crunches
2 planks (w/ exercise ball)
3x10 ea:
weighted side bends (ea side)
weighted side twist (ea side)
bicep curls
hammer curls
lat pull down
seated row
leg curl
leg extension
leg press
stretches & foam roller

Book Review: Food Matters - A Guide to Conscious Eating

Continuing with my trend of reading books about food and eating (beginning with Michael Pollan’s most recent trilogy of books), I dove into Mark Bittman’s latest book, Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating. If you’re not familiar with Mark Bittman, he is best known as a cookbook author, food columnist for the New York Times, regular on The Today Show, and public television show host.

Food Matters is one part food theory and one part cookbook. This is partly what drew me to the book in the first place, learning another way to approach food and eating and having a collection of recipes to try out that follow those guidelines. Being relatively new to cooking more than salads and sandwiches, I am always looking for new ideas and recipes that are easy enough for a novice to try without burning down the building or ruining perfectly good ingredients. Now, not all of the recipes in this book fall into that category, but I have already tried a few of them to good results and Bittman also provides basic techniques which I’ve found very helpful (how to prepare a variety of grains, vegetables in multiple ways, storage techniques, etc.).

Bittman’s theory for eating rests on the idea of conscious eating (as referred to in the book title). Not only does he advocate eating whole foods that are good for human health, but also foods that are good for our environment. His journey to create a healthy, sensible and conscious diet was spurred by four factors: a report by the UN that stated global livestock production was responsible for about 1/5th of all greenhouse gases, “some personal health issues, an overall gloomy global outlook, and an increasing concern with animal products in general.” Seeing a direct link between personal food consumption habits and global warming, Bittman realized that small dietary changes made by many people, could have quite an impact on our environment. I’ll skip a lot of the details, because I suggest you read the book (Part 1 is only 108 pages, so it’s a pretty fast read) but Bittman does dig deep into the effect food production has on the environment. He cites Michael Pollan a few times, building off a few of his ‘Food Rules.’ He also explores the wild entanglement between the US Government and food producers, food marketing and the misguided and ultra-confusing USDA Food Pyramid, which was actually designed by Porter Novelli, a global public relations firm. He explains how there is not enough space on Earth to keep up with the increasing demand for meat (most people in developing countries, including the US eat approximately a half pound of meat per day, when 3oz per day is a more appropriate amount for a healthy diet). And of course, he also discusses the rise in obesity rates across the country over the last 4 decades.

The idea behind eating like Food Matters is that people should take a look at how and what they eat, focusing on fresh, wholesome ingredients, and minimizing animal products (meat and dairy) in order to eat healthier and lessen their impact on the environment. If you’re wondering, he does encourage consciously grown or raised local products over organic (how organic is an apple if it is flown 1,000 miles to the grocery store?). Bittman is encouraging people to follow a new diet, but not ‘diet’ as a four-letter word. Diet as in a way of eating. For life. A diet that can be sustained and works with your lifestyle. I think we all know by now, that if it doesn’t fit with someone’s lifestyle, it’s not going to work. Eating like food matters puts produce at the forefront and includes only a small bit of meat, if at any at all (your choice). If you like categorization, it’s a Flexitarian diet. From the slipcover of the book:

“Bittman, a food writer who loves to eat and eats out frequently, lost thirty-five pounds and saw marked improvement in his blood levels by simply cutting meat and processed foods out of two of his three daily meals. But the simple truth, as he points out, is that as long as you eat more vegetables and whole grains, the results will be better health for you and for the world in which we live.”

Food Matters is an interesting and quick read that I highly recommend. While Bittman’s argument is quite similar to Michael Pollan’s, he comes from a slightly different angle and brings a few new facts and ideas to the table. I do want to clarify one thing though, this isn’t a ‘diet book.’ It’s not meant to guide someone on their weight loss journey; rather it is meant to improve the health of both people and the earth. Bittman’s weight loss (as mentioned in the quote above) was a pleasant side-effect of the eating like food matters, but was not the solitary goal he set out to accomplish. It just so happens that the body has a tendency to lose a few pounds as one begins eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and fewer processed foods and animal products.

I checked this book out from the NY Public Library, but it is one I’d like to have in my permanent (and ever growing) collection.

One last quote to leave you with: “The aggregate of even the smallest changes equal big change.”

For more info on Mark Bittman and Food Matters, go here.

If you haven't heard yet, April is Earth Month. Why wait until April 22nd to celebrate the Earth and pay attention to the environment and what we can do to help preserve the Earth for generations to come? Celebrate all month long!

• If you're in NYC this weekend, you can recycle your e-waste at Tekserve (119 W23rd St) on Saturday from 10a-4p. They're taking computers, cell phonees, TV's and other electrical items to recycle in safe and appropriate ways. In return, Tekserve will give you $25 towards a Mac or iPod (excluding shuffles) thru May 10th.
• Instead of throwing away all those clothes and other textiles you don't want anymore while you're Spring cleaning, take them to an NYC Greenmarket for recycling! Check HERE for participating markets and times.
• Do you have old pairs of running shoes piling up in your closet like I did until last month? Take them to your nearest NIKE store to donate to their Reuse A Shoe program. Just drop them off in the bin and they'll be turned into materials for running tracks.
• We all know CFL lightbulbs are better than incandescent, but which one brand is best for additional front end investment? According to Consumer Reports, choose 'soft' or 'warm' white CFLs if you want something close to the incandescent and use a 13-15 watt CFL to replace a 60 watt incandescent. EcoSmart (423-599 EDXO-14) tops the spiral category (found at Home Depot), EcoSmart (BR40 Soft white) is best for indoor flood lights, and Philips Energy Saver EL/A rates #1 for outdoor flood lights. If you haven't switched yet, keep in mind that CFLs will save about $56 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. Not bad!! That's a few race entries, and two will get you a new pair of running shoes!!

On another topic, I'm flying to Michigan quite early tomorrow morning for a quick trip to attend the 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration of my Great Aunt & Uncle! I'm incredibly excited that I'm able to go. They are two of the most wonderful people I know and their love and admiration for each other is evident after seeing them together for mere seconds. Needless to say, with my travels I'll be out of blogging range but back on Monday! Have a great weekend!

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Workout stats -
19mi bike
3x10ea front straight arm raises, overhead extension, tricep kickbacks
stretching