A Visit to Mount Felix
17 years ago
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Food Rules Friday
Michael Pollan is an acclaimed author and whole food/heathy eating advocate. He is the author of the best selling "In Defense of Food" and "The Omnivore's Dillemma."
Rule #15: "Get out of the supermarket whenever you can."
"You won't find any high fructose corn syrup at the farmers' market."
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Training Tips Thursday
The subject of last week's training tips post was Power Yoga for Runners. As a follow-up, I'll share this video. I tried this "Hip Opening Lunges" series after running, and found it to be an amazing post-run cool down! After running and working through this routine, I had none of the usual post-run tightness!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Green Choices Wednesday
Eating Green
Simple processes such as making our daily dietary choices have a significant effect on our environment. Every day, we have two major choices: where our food is raised, and which foods we choose to eat.
Food Sources - Eating Local
There are a range of choices relating to the sources of our food. The distance food travels has an impact on air quality. Obviously, more greenhouse gases are generated transporting food raised farther away. Buying locally raised food is preferable to buying food raised far away. However, few areas have year-around growing seasons, or raise all of the products we wish to consume, so we have to make decisions and trade-offs. For most of us, the decision comes down to eating foods raised as close to home as possible, and eating foods that are in season as much as possible. And it's not a black and white choice between local and distant; there are a full range of options in between:
1. Home gardening - the ultimate local source: This is my favorite. Every year, I grow fresh vegetables in my garden. It just doesn't get any more local than my own back yard! There is virtually no transportation involved; maybe just shipping the seeds. I use home-produced compost instead of chemical fertilizers. This has several benefits. This method doesn't support the environmental effects of production and transportation of chemical fertilzer. There is no resulting chemical runoff into the local watershed when it rains. Composting my kitchen and yard waste keeps the waste out of landfills, reduces transportation effects from taking waste to landfills, and provides high quality, fresh, organically grown vegetables.
2. Locally Raised: Visiting local farms or local farmer's markets are great choices. Transportation is minimal, and locally raised foods are fresher.
3. Regionally Raised: Many foods that are not available locally may be available regionally. Any reduction in distance transported benefits the environment. Here's an example. When I buy a bag of oranges or grapefruit, I can usually choose between Texas, Florida and California citrus. Living in Texas, I look for the Texas fruit. Reading the labels on bags of various fresh produce often tells us the source of the food. Being informed allows us to make better choices.
4. Nationally vs Internationally Raised: There are a lot of options. Do I want to buy apples from the state of Washington, or from New Zealand? Big difference in distance.
Food Choices - What do we Eat?
What we choose to eat has at least as big an impact as the source of our food. Choosing organically raised food is more environmentally sound because it is raised without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Grass-fed beef is a better choice than grain-fed beef. Less meat is better than more meat. Studies indicate that as much as 18% of all greenhouse gases are a result of meat production. Grass is the natural diet for cattle. Cattle raised on factory farms are fed grain, mostly corn, the digestion of which results in more methane generation than a natural grass diet. Many people are choosing to eat less meat for many reasons, including health, concern for the environment, and concern for animal treatment. Just as with food sourcing, there are a range of dietary choices:
1. Meat Reduction: Many people have chosen not to eat meat every day. There is a popular Meatless Monday movement. People have chosen not to eat meat one day per week. If everyone did this, it would reduce enviromental impact by 1/7, or 14%. Others have taken it a step further and go meatless several days per week. My family did this for many years.
2. Flexitarian Diet: This is a term that I only became familiar with last year, as I researched vegetarianism. A flexitarian eats a virtually vegetarian diet, with only occasional meat. The percentage of meat consumption is so low that the environmental impact is very close to that of a total vegetarian diet. "Occasional" is defined by the individual. It may be weekly, monthly, or even less.
3. Vegetarian Diet: A no-meat diet, typically allowing dairy products and eggs. This is my current choice. Not as strict as vegan. Dairy and eggs give two good sources of protein in the absence of meat. Over the years, I trended from reduced meat, to mostly flexitarian, and finally to vegetarian. After giving more and more thought to my concerns for the environment, and also to concerns about animal treatment, last year, I could no longer reconcile my views with continued consumption of meat.
4. Vegan Diet: No meat or animal products at all, including dairy or eggs.
So, we face a lot of choices about our diet. The choices are not black-or-white, all-or-nothing. One doesn't have to go to the extreme on every choice. Just think about your choices, make informed choices, and be aware that there is an effect that results from every choice. The cumulative effect of many people just helping a little is huge.
Think Green and Live Green!
Simple processes such as making our daily dietary choices have a significant effect on our environment. Every day, we have two major choices: where our food is raised, and which foods we choose to eat.
Food Sources - Eating Local
There are a range of choices relating to the sources of our food. The distance food travels has an impact on air quality. Obviously, more greenhouse gases are generated transporting food raised farther away. Buying locally raised food is preferable to buying food raised far away. However, few areas have year-around growing seasons, or raise all of the products we wish to consume, so we have to make decisions and trade-offs. For most of us, the decision comes down to eating foods raised as close to home as possible, and eating foods that are in season as much as possible. And it's not a black and white choice between local and distant; there are a full range of options in between:
1. Home gardening - the ultimate local source: This is my favorite. Every year, I grow fresh vegetables in my garden. It just doesn't get any more local than my own back yard! There is virtually no transportation involved; maybe just shipping the seeds. I use home-produced compost instead of chemical fertilizers. This has several benefits. This method doesn't support the environmental effects of production and transportation of chemical fertilzer. There is no resulting chemical runoff into the local watershed when it rains. Composting my kitchen and yard waste keeps the waste out of landfills, reduces transportation effects from taking waste to landfills, and provides high quality, fresh, organically grown vegetables.
2. Locally Raised: Visiting local farms or local farmer's markets are great choices. Transportation is minimal, and locally raised foods are fresher.
3. Regionally Raised: Many foods that are not available locally may be available regionally. Any reduction in distance transported benefits the environment. Here's an example. When I buy a bag of oranges or grapefruit, I can usually choose between Texas, Florida and California citrus. Living in Texas, I look for the Texas fruit. Reading the labels on bags of various fresh produce often tells us the source of the food. Being informed allows us to make better choices.
4. Nationally vs Internationally Raised: There are a lot of options. Do I want to buy apples from the state of Washington, or from New Zealand? Big difference in distance.
Food Choices - What do we Eat?
What we choose to eat has at least as big an impact as the source of our food. Choosing organically raised food is more environmentally sound because it is raised without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Grass-fed beef is a better choice than grain-fed beef. Less meat is better than more meat. Studies indicate that as much as 18% of all greenhouse gases are a result of meat production. Grass is the natural diet for cattle. Cattle raised on factory farms are fed grain, mostly corn, the digestion of which results in more methane generation than a natural grass diet. Many people are choosing to eat less meat for many reasons, including health, concern for the environment, and concern for animal treatment. Just as with food sourcing, there are a range of dietary choices:
1. Meat Reduction: Many people have chosen not to eat meat every day. There is a popular Meatless Monday movement. People have chosen not to eat meat one day per week. If everyone did this, it would reduce enviromental impact by 1/7, or 14%. Others have taken it a step further and go meatless several days per week. My family did this for many years.
2. Flexitarian Diet: This is a term that I only became familiar with last year, as I researched vegetarianism. A flexitarian eats a virtually vegetarian diet, with only occasional meat. The percentage of meat consumption is so low that the environmental impact is very close to that of a total vegetarian diet. "Occasional" is defined by the individual. It may be weekly, monthly, or even less.
3. Vegetarian Diet: A no-meat diet, typically allowing dairy products and eggs. This is my current choice. Not as strict as vegan. Dairy and eggs give two good sources of protein in the absence of meat. Over the years, I trended from reduced meat, to mostly flexitarian, and finally to vegetarian. After giving more and more thought to my concerns for the environment, and also to concerns about animal treatment, last year, I could no longer reconcile my views with continued consumption of meat.
4. Vegan Diet: No meat or animal products at all, including dairy or eggs.
So, we face a lot of choices about our diet. The choices are not black-or-white, all-or-nothing. One doesn't have to go to the extreme on every choice. Just think about your choices, make informed choices, and be aware that there is an effect that results from every choice. The cumulative effect of many people just helping a little is huge.
Think Green and Live Green!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday Quote of the Week
“Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny.”
Monday, August 30, 2010
Meatless Monday
I think the grilled avocado looks amazing! :)
Running Green supports Meatless Monday, an initiative associated with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The goal of Meatless Monday is to help reduce meat consumption in order to improve public health and the health of the planet.
These delicious-looking recipes are published by the Meatless Monday initiative, and may be found at http://www.meatlessmonday.com/category/this-mondays-menu/
Monday Morsels (Source: http://www.meatlessmonday.com/):
Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck weighs in on MM in Denver Westword… The city council of King County, Washington passed a recognition supporting MM…The family behind FOODalogue now offers MM recipe suggestions, including this week’s zucchini-mozzarella melt… “Room for Improvement” writer Sara Groves recommends going meatless on Monday in Montana’s Independent Record… Health writer Dorian Martin tells how MM helped her & her father get on track on MyDietExercise.com
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Weekly Training: August 23 - 29
Graphic from my page at dailymile.com. The mileage in the graphic includes both running and cycling miles.)
Good week, 42 miles running, but only 8 miles cycling, 50 miles total. Runs of 6/8/6/2 miles Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday, a good 16 miler Saturday, and a 4 mile recovery run Sunday. I've been trying to gradually build my longer distance runs back; I want to run another marathon in March, so I'll need to gear up for a structured marathon training plan by November. Sixteen is my longest run since my May marathon. Normally, I rest my legs on Mondays and Fridays, but my new running shoes were delivered Friday, and I couldn't resist testing them with a quick 2 miles. The second of the two miles was my second-fastest ever, 6:55! My cycling miles were way down, 2 miles Tuesday, 2 miles Thursday, and 4 miles Sunday.
I followed my normal M/W/F weights routine on Monday and Wednesday, but discontinued Friday, when a lingering pain in my left shoulder persisisted for about a week. I'll take a couple of weeks of rest from the weights.
After a few weeks of inconsistent yoga practice, I recently resolved to work towards attaining a daily practice routine. I did much better this week, practicing 5 out of 7 days, and getting two sessions in on two of the days.
YTD: 1,203.5 miles running, 409.3 miles cycling, 1,612.8 miles total.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Food Rules Friday
Michael Pollan is an acclaimed author and whole food/heathy eating advocate. He is the author of the best selling "In Defense of Food" and "The Omnivore's Dillemma."
Rule #14: "Eat foods made from ingredients you can picture in their raw state or growing in nature."
You won't be able to picture most of the ingredients on the label of typical processed foods in a raw state or growing anywhere. This rule helps us avoid products with chemical additives.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Training Tips Thursday
Power Yoga for Runners
I recently read an article that recommended power yoga sequences for runners' cross training. It described power yoga as a slightly quicker paced and more aerobic routine, without rest between poses. For runners who are also yoga devotees, the upside of this approach is perhaps a better warmup or cooldown routine than many of the standard routines used by runners. The downside is that the approach is less spiritual and meditative than other yoga practice. However, there is room in our lives for both approaches, depending on what fits the need of the moment. That's one of the beauties of yoga-- its versatility.
I had already found that there is a yoga pose that is similar to, but better than, the stretches commonly used by runners. For example, the common quadriceps stretch, one hand pulling the foot and lower leg up behind the body with the knee pointing down, may be replaced by Natarajasana, or Dancer Pose.
The article I read suggests using a vigorous sequence of the Surya Namaskara, or Sun Salutation series as a warm up before running, as a dynamic and continuous aerobic routine, starting with a few repetitions, and building to perhaps 10 repetitions with further practice. As yoga practioners know, the Sun Salutation is not a single pose, but actually a series of poses done in a sequence. If you already practice yoga, you probably already use the Sun Salutation as part of your daily routine. Before running, just pick up the pace a little as you flow through the moves. If you are new to yoga, this series will be covered in your first beginner's lesson at most studios. Or you can learn it from a yoga video on DVD or on the internet. Give it a try!
Namaste!
I recently read an article that recommended power yoga sequences for runners' cross training. It described power yoga as a slightly quicker paced and more aerobic routine, without rest between poses. For runners who are also yoga devotees, the upside of this approach is perhaps a better warmup or cooldown routine than many of the standard routines used by runners. The downside is that the approach is less spiritual and meditative than other yoga practice. However, there is room in our lives for both approaches, depending on what fits the need of the moment. That's one of the beauties of yoga-- its versatility.
I had already found that there is a yoga pose that is similar to, but better than, the stretches commonly used by runners. For example, the common quadriceps stretch, one hand pulling the foot and lower leg up behind the body with the knee pointing down, may be replaced by Natarajasana, or Dancer Pose.
The article I read suggests using a vigorous sequence of the Surya Namaskara, or Sun Salutation series as a warm up before running, as a dynamic and continuous aerobic routine, starting with a few repetitions, and building to perhaps 10 repetitions with further practice. As yoga practioners know, the Sun Salutation is not a single pose, but actually a series of poses done in a sequence. If you already practice yoga, you probably already use the Sun Salutation as part of your daily routine. Before running, just pick up the pace a little as you flow through the moves. If you are new to yoga, this series will be covered in your first beginner's lesson at most studios. Or you can learn it from a yoga video on DVD or on the internet. Give it a try!
Namaste!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Green Choices Wednesday
Updates on previous Green Choices posts:
On the second attempt, I think we perfected the process of making homemade peanut butter (August 4 post). The first batch was delicious, but thickened after refrigeration, and was not easy to spread when cold. We added a couple extra teaspoons of peanut oil to the second batch, and it stayed smooth and spreadable even when cold. We also like it with a small amount of honey added. So, we find we can make the equivalent of three jars of peanut butter for about the price of two jars, the product tastes better, is made from 100% natural ingredients, and is stored in our own reusable container. What's not to like? Also, I'm sure we can bring our cost down even further by buying bulk peanuts.
My transition to Green shaving is complete. On June 30, I posted on the intention to replace canned shaving foam with shaving brush and mug soap, and to replace disposable razors with a reusable razor, either a safety razor or a straight razor. My July 21 post updated my shaving brush trial, but I had not found a razor yet. There was no hurry on the transition, because I intended to use the disposable razors I had already purchased. This week, a friend found me a vintage safety razor at a second-hand sale. I cleaned and sterilized it and it looks like new! I picked up some double-edge blades, and it shaves well! from a Green perspective, I also like the idea of reusing an existing product, like this second-hand razor, for three reasons: it recycles an existing item, it doesn't create demand for the resources and energy required to manufacture a new product, and it cost me $3 instead of $30!
On the second attempt, I think we perfected the process of making homemade peanut butter (August 4 post). The first batch was delicious, but thickened after refrigeration, and was not easy to spread when cold. We added a couple extra teaspoons of peanut oil to the second batch, and it stayed smooth and spreadable even when cold. We also like it with a small amount of honey added. So, we find we can make the equivalent of three jars of peanut butter for about the price of two jars, the product tastes better, is made from 100% natural ingredients, and is stored in our own reusable container. What's not to like? Also, I'm sure we can bring our cost down even further by buying bulk peanuts.
My transition to Green shaving is complete. On June 30, I posted on the intention to replace canned shaving foam with shaving brush and mug soap, and to replace disposable razors with a reusable razor, either a safety razor or a straight razor. My July 21 post updated my shaving brush trial, but I had not found a razor yet. There was no hurry on the transition, because I intended to use the disposable razors I had already purchased. This week, a friend found me a vintage safety razor at a second-hand sale. I cleaned and sterilized it and it looks like new! I picked up some double-edge blades, and it shaves well! from a Green perspective, I also like the idea of reusing an existing product, like this second-hand razor, for three reasons: it recycles an existing item, it doesn't create demand for the resources and energy required to manufacture a new product, and it cost me $3 instead of $30!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tuesday Quote of the Week
These are great! I read them at Joy For Life, and had to share them! Each one could have been used as a nice single weekly quote, but they are better viewed together, as they seem to me to build upon each other.
Yogi Bhajan's 7 Steps to Happiness:
1. Commitment
In every life you are meant to commit. That is why the word is commit-meant. Commitment gives you character.
2. Character
Character is when all your characteristics – all facets, flaws and facts – are under your control. Yin and yang meet there, totally balanced. Character gives you dignity.
3. Dignity
People start trusting you, liking you, respecting you. Dignity will give you divinity.
4. Divinity
Divinity is when people have no duality about you. They trust you right away. They have no fear about you. Divinity gives you grace.
5. Grace
Where there is grace, there is no interference, no gap between two people, no hidden agenda. Grace gives you the power to sacrifice.
6. Sacrifice
You can stand in any pain for that person. That sacrifice gives you happiness.
7. Happiness
You should make yourself so happy, that by looking at you, other people become happy.
~ Yogi Bhajan
Monday, August 23, 2010
Meatless Monday
Running Green supports Meatless Monday, an initiative associated with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The goal of Meatless Monday is to help reduce meat consumption in order to improve public health and the health of the planet.
These delicious-looking recipes are published by the Meatless Monday initiative, and may be found at http://www.meatlessmonday.com/category/this-mondays-menu/
Monday Morsels (Source: http://www.meatlessmonday.com/):
NBC’s Los Angeles FEAST reports that all 5 of Tender Green’s California locations now go meatless on Monday… University of California San Diego places at number 15 on grassroot environmentalist organization Sierra Club’s top 100 green schools list for their Monday menu…Celebrity chef Katie Lee tells readers on her website that MM helps her start the week on a healthy note… The city of Vancouver, Canada encourages citizens to vote for MM in their upcoming green initiatives contest… Colorado’s St. Vrain Valley is the latest school district to serve MM to all their students.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Weeky Training: August 16 - 22
Graphic from my page at dailymile.com. The mileage in the graphic includes both running and cycling miles.)
I'm a little tired after a fairly strong week, during which the weather has been really hot. 42 miles running, 15 miles cycling, 57 miles total. Ran 7/8/5 miles Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday, 10 miles Saturday, and 12 miles Sunday. Cycled 1 mile Wednesday, 2 miles Thursday, 10 miles Saturday, and 2 miles Sunday.
To continue a balanced program, I had 3 weights workouts, and found time for 3 good yoga sessions. I believe a total-body approach is best. My weights workouts target chest & biceps Mondays, shoulders & legs Wednesdays, and back & triceps Fridays. Yoga adds the final element, easing overall tightness from the other activities.
I really want to continue increasing the quality and duration of my yoga practice. Not only does it provide perfect overall balance to my total fitness, it is great for ennhancing mind/body connectiion.
YTD: 1,161.5 miles running, 401.2 miles cycling, 1,562.8 miles total.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Food Rules Friday
Michael Pollan is an acclaimed author and whole food/heathy eating advocate. He is the author of the best selling "In Defense of Food" and "The Omnivore's Dillemma."
Rule #13: "Eat only foods that will eventually rot."
Using this principle, we avoid overly processed foods that are loaded with chemical preservatives. Often, these processed foods have certain important nutrients removed, nutrients that may allow the food to decay more quickly. Fresh, whole food, eaten within a reasonable time, needs no alteration.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Training Tips Thursday
Endurance athletes need to protect their knees. Six-time IRONMAN World Champion Dave Scott shows us how: (Link from the active.com Facebook page)
More tips at http://www.active.com/fitness/injury-prevention?cmp=16-5154
I was really interested to find this, since I had had a minor knee injury last year. I had also recently read another article discussing a study that strengthening of the hips reduces knee injuries for runners. You may view the article by following this link to the Los Angeles Times/ Health blogs.
I plan to give these a try!
More tips at http://www.active.com/fitness/injury-prevention?cmp=16-5154
I was really interested to find this, since I had had a minor knee injury last year. I had also recently read another article discussing a study that strengthening of the hips reduces knee injuries for runners. You may view the article by following this link to the Los Angeles Times/ Health blogs.
I plan to give these a try!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Green Choices Wednesday
Want to learn a lot about green choices? Check out the No Impact Project! Consider participating in the next No Impact Experiment beginning August 29, 2010!
I first heard of the No Impact project in October, 2009, and participated in November, 2009. Follow this link for previous posts about the No Impact Project and No Impact Week.
Here's the premise of the No Impact Experiment:
"The No Impact Experiment is a one-week carbon cleanse. It is a chance for you to see what a difference no-impact living can have on your quality of life. It’s not about giving up creature comforts but an opportunity for you to test whether the modern 'conveniences' you take for granted are actually making you happier or just eating away at your time and money."
The manual is full of "green" ideas, and the idea is to use the manual as a guide, try things that work for you, use the process as a learning excercise, and add your own ideas to it. To me, the greatest value was that it made me pause to consider the impact of dozens of small activities. The resulting evaluation of activities led me to make many small and relatively easy changes.
I first heard of the No Impact project in October, 2009, and participated in November, 2009. Follow this link for previous posts about the No Impact Project and No Impact Week.
Here's the premise of the No Impact Experiment:
"The No Impact Experiment is a one-week carbon cleanse. It is a chance for you to see what a difference no-impact living can have on your quality of life. It’s not about giving up creature comforts but an opportunity for you to test whether the modern 'conveniences' you take for granted are actually making you happier or just eating away at your time and money."
The manual is full of "green" ideas, and the idea is to use the manual as a guide, try things that work for you, use the process as a learning excercise, and add your own ideas to it. To me, the greatest value was that it made me pause to consider the impact of dozens of small activities. The resulting evaluation of activities led me to make many small and relatively easy changes.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday Quote of the Week
"The marathon is a charismatic event. It has everything. It has drama. It has competition. It has camaraderie. It has heroism. Every jogger can't dream of being an Olympic champion, but he can dream of finishing a marathon."
~Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder
~Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder
Monday, August 16, 2010
Meatless Monday
These delicious-looking recipes are published by the Meatless Monday initiative, and may be found at http://www.meatlessmonday.com/category/this-mondays-menu/
Monday Morsels (Source: http://www.meatlessmonday.com/)
Long-time NYC staple The Village Voice highlights NPR’s
recent Meatless Monday radio piece… LA Weekly provides a brief history of the Monday movement… My Fox Illinois offers an exciting MM recipe for German-apple pancakes… E-commerce company All Business shows how MM can bring in restaurant revenue… MadeMan Magazine recommends MM as one of their top 10 healthy eating tips.
Running Green is now featured in Meatless Monday's "Bloggers on Board" list!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Weekly Training: August 9 - 15
Building some running miles again after two consecutive lighter weeks: 40.1 miles running, 17.8 miles cycling, 57.9 miles total. Weekday runs of 5/6/6 on Tu/Wed/Thu; weekend runs of 10 Saturday and 13.1 Sunday. Three weights workouts and one core workout.
YTD: 1,119.5 miles running, 404.1 miles cycling, 1,505.8 miles total.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Food Rules Friday
Michael Pollan is an acclaimed author and whole food/heathy eating advocate. He is the author of the best selling "In Defense of Food" and "The Omnivore's Dillemma."
Rule #12: "Shop the peripheries of the supermarket and stay out of the middle."
Most supermakets fill the center of the store with more highly processed foods and keep the fresh foods on the outer aisles. Staying mostly out of the middle will fill your shopping cart with real food!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Training Tip Thursday
Yoga for Runners
"During the course of an average mile run, your foot will strike the ground 1,000 times. The force of impact on each foot is about three to four times your weight. It's not surprising, then, to hear runners complain of bad backs and knees, tight hamstrings, and sore feet.
The pain most runners feel is not from the running in and of itself, but from imbalances that running causes and exacerbates. If you bring your body into balance through the practice of yoga, you can run long and hard for years to come. Although yoga and running lie on opposite ends of the exercise spectrum, the two need not be mutually exclusive. In fact, running and yoga make a good marriage of strength and flexibility."
This is an excerpt from a Yoga Journal article at http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/192. I believe that yoga can be life-enhancing for anyone, as a good form of exercise in itself, by promoting mind/body balance, and by aiding one in achieving peace with self and with the universe. It can be of particular value to athletes such as runners, adding physical balance to one's training.
"During the course of an average mile run, your foot will strike the ground 1,000 times. The force of impact on each foot is about three to four times your weight. It's not surprising, then, to hear runners complain of bad backs and knees, tight hamstrings, and sore feet.
The pain most runners feel is not from the running in and of itself, but from imbalances that running causes and exacerbates. If you bring your body into balance through the practice of yoga, you can run long and hard for years to come. Although yoga and running lie on opposite ends of the exercise spectrum, the two need not be mutually exclusive. In fact, running and yoga make a good marriage of strength and flexibility."
This is an excerpt from a Yoga Journal article at http://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/192. I believe that yoga can be life-enhancing for anyone, as a good form of exercise in itself, by promoting mind/body balance, and by aiding one in achieving peace with self and with the universe. It can be of particular value to athletes such as runners, adding physical balance to one's training.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Green Choices Wednesday
Green Choices --
We all make hundreds of small choices every day, many without even thinking about them.
This is not a pretty picture. It represents the choices made by many people as they enjoyed the natural beauty of Village Creek, a local treasure. It is the newest of the Texas Paddling Trails, as designated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department:
http://204.64.0.110/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/inland/village_creek/index.phtml.
As I kayaked on this beautiful creek Saturday, I picked 47 aluminum cans and 8 plastic bottles from the water and from sand bars along the creek. Such a shame that everyone cannot enjoy the gift of nature without leaving trash behind.
I'm sure that none of the readers of this blog, a blog that highlights environmental concerns, would ever consider leaving a piece of litter behind. That is a green choice, and I applaud and appreciate that.
Several years ago, as I was running on a beautiful wooded trail in a park, I came to a realization. I occasionally saw a piece of litter on or near the trail, and always thought, "I'd never do that. Why do people do that?" One day, I saw a walker on the trail stop, pick up a piece of litter, and take it with him. That both impressed me and kind of shamed me. At that moment, I realized that was another choice-- to walk or run past the litter, or to pick it up. Two levels of choice. The first choice, to not litter, or to not make a litter problem worse. And a second choice, to pick something up, and make the problem better. Since then, I put a bag in my pocket when I go to a park to run.
I decided I don't want to settle for not making the world worse. I also want to leave it better.
Village Creek, Hardin County, Texas, August 7, 2010.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tuesday Quote of the Week
"It is through your body that you realize you are a spark of divinity."
~B.K.S. Iyengar
Monday, August 9, 2010
Meatless Monday
These delicious-looking recipes are published by the Meatless Monday initiative, and may be found at http://www.meatlessmonday.com/category/this-mondays-menu/
Monday Morsels (Source: http://www.meatlessmonday.com/)
Lance Armstong’s Livestrong organization recommends having a MM to lose weight healthfully… SELF magazine celebrates the growing popularity of the MM movement… Australian food site STREAT encourages all Aussies to participate in “the MM food phenomenon”… Canada’s Ottawa Citizen suggests going meatless on Monday for personal and planetary health… South Florida Gourmet profiles MM as an easy, delicious campaign for chefs and household cooks alike.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Weekly Training: August 2 - 8
A light week, only 21 miles running and only 4 miles cycling. Adding 9 miles of kayaking gave a 34 mile weekly total. Easy weekday run schedule of 5/4/5 on Tu/Wed/Thu. Light weekend, also. I only ran a quick two miler Saturday, because I planned a kayaking excursion for the day. I kayaked 9 miles in about 6 hours in difficult conditions and finished up exhausted and dehydrated. Still tired Sunday morning, I only ran 5 miles, so I didn't get a long run in at all this week.
YTD: 1,079.4 miles running, 368.5 miles cycling, 1,447.9 miles total.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Food Rules Friday
Michael Pollan is an acclaimed author and whole food/heathy eating advocate. He is the author of the best selling "In Defense of Food" and "The Omnivore's Dillemma."
Rule #11: "Avoid foods you see advertised on television."
Highly advertised foods tend to be highly processed foods. The large food processors are the companies that can afford large advertising budgets. Often included are dubious claims of healthiness. Don't buy into advertising. Buy whole, fresh foods.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Training Tip Thursday
"Rest days are for rest - Actual improvement in fitness occurs during recovery, not during the exercise itself. But this is not the only reason to take days off during the week. Most running injuries are caused by repetitive stress syndrome. Hence, days off are not only because you may feel tired, but to prevent structural breakdown from unrelenting pounding. Beginning runners should take two or more non-consecutive days off a week. Experienced distance runners, no matter how macho (or "macha") should take at least one day off a week. If your goal is to establish a non-stop training streak, by all means, avoid days off. However, if your goal is to stay injury-free and perform at the top of your potential, year after year, and mile after mile, rest and recovery are essential. A rest day is not an easy day. It is a day when you do no lower-body training at all. Finally, please remember that training is not a contest. The contest is the contest."
Source: http://www.runtheplanet.com/trainingracing/training/distancerunning.asp#4
Source: http://www.runtheplanet.com/trainingracing/training/distancerunning.asp#4
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Green Choices Wednesday - Homemade Stuff!
Homemade Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter-- delicious, great nutrition, and a great source of protein!
Since going vegetarian last year, peanut butter, one of my old favorites, has become one of my nutritional staples. Wife and I have also been eliminating as many processed foods from our diet as possible. Initially, we started buying all-natural peanut butter. No chemicals or preservatives, no trans-fats or added sugars, typically just peanuts and salt. Additionaly, we have been eliminating most disposable products and identifying/eliminating many sources of unnecessary containers.
So, this was a natural evolution. We are now making our own peanut butter. All we need are peanuts and a food processor. A small amount of salt and/or added oil are optional. We're using a little bit of peanut oil. It helps make the peanuts process a little easier, and makes the peanut butter a little smoother. For crunchy peanut butter, my favorite, just grind a few nuts separately, and stir them in at the end. Add a little honey for a sweeter variation.
It's just as tasty as the commercial product, is cheaper, and we have total control of the ingredients! Like commercial all-natural peanut butter, the oil separates a little in storage, so we stir it before use.
And we can store it in our own reuseable containers instead of adding more plastic jars to our recyling. Recyling plastic is great, and we will continue to recycle everything we can. But a practice even better than recyling is to avoid generation of recylables where possible. This avoids the consumption of resources that the container is made from, and saves the resources consumed in the container production process.
Green choices-- they are everywhere, if we just look for them! Many of them are so simple!
Think Green and Live Green!
Peanut Butter-- delicious, great nutrition, and a great source of protein!
Since going vegetarian last year, peanut butter, one of my old favorites, has become one of my nutritional staples. Wife and I have also been eliminating as many processed foods from our diet as possible. Initially, we started buying all-natural peanut butter. No chemicals or preservatives, no trans-fats or added sugars, typically just peanuts and salt. Additionaly, we have been eliminating most disposable products and identifying/eliminating many sources of unnecessary containers.
So, this was a natural evolution. We are now making our own peanut butter. All we need are peanuts and a food processor. A small amount of salt and/or added oil are optional. We're using a little bit of peanut oil. It helps make the peanuts process a little easier, and makes the peanut butter a little smoother. For crunchy peanut butter, my favorite, just grind a few nuts separately, and stir them in at the end. Add a little honey for a sweeter variation.
It's just as tasty as the commercial product, is cheaper, and we have total control of the ingredients! Like commercial all-natural peanut butter, the oil separates a little in storage, so we stir it before use.
And we can store it in our own reuseable containers instead of adding more plastic jars to our recyling. Recyling plastic is great, and we will continue to recycle everything we can. But a practice even better than recyling is to avoid generation of recylables where possible. This avoids the consumption of resources that the container is made from, and saves the resources consumed in the container production process.
Green choices-- they are everywhere, if we just look for them! Many of them are so simple!
Think Green and Live Green!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Tuesday Quote of the Week
~B.K.S. Iyengar
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