Wordless Wednesday

How to Keep Your Engine Fueled

This was my week to do the longest run before the marathon. I managed to get in 20 miles yesterday. The weather was perfect and my ankle made it all the way. My calves did start cramping at mile 18 so that made for a painful run/walk the last two miles. ( My chiropractor daughter told me I need to be taking magnesium supplements to help with that.)

In order to have enough energy for my long runs I have been trying to eat really healthy. Lots of whole grains, fruits and veggies. I didn't really want to rely on granola bars to snack on so I was happy to come across this Trail Mix For Runners recipe. It is extremely easy, delicious and sticks with you. It would actually be a great snack for anyone that is working hard.

Runner's Trail Mix (courtesy of Runners World)
1 cup dried blueberries
1 cup dried tart cherries
1 cup almonds
1 cup walnuts
1 cup sunflower seeds or pepitas (pumpkin) seeds
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Mix all together and enjoy. (I think you could also add in a little flake coconut.)

1/4 cup serving is a great evening snack for me. Along with staying hydrated this should help me on those long runs!

Give it a try!

How to Get Fabulous Feet

 

If I had my life to live over

 

I would start barefoot earlier in the spring

and stay that way later in the fall.

I would go to more dances.

I would ride more merry-go-rounds.

I would pick more daisies.        

by Nadine Starr

 

Here in Minnesota our temperatures are FINALLY supposed to be warming up! That is giving all of us spring fever!

 

Are you ready for spring and bare feet? Here are some tips on

 "How To Get Fabulous Feet".

1. Soak your feet for about ten minutes.

2. Pat feet dry.

3. Clip toenails straight across or file with an emery board (but wait until toenails are completely dry).

4. Using a pumice stone, remove any rough areas.

5. Massage cuticle area with a little oil or moisturizer.

6. Gently push back cuticles.

7. Apply foot cream/lotion and massage into each foot.

8. Remove any excess lotion.

9. If you wish to apply polish put a small amount of polish on your brush; paint one stroke down the center of your nail. Stroke the sides of the nail and you are done.

10. Wait until polish is set and then apply the top coat. 
      Don't skip this step as it not only adds life to your pedicure, it will protect your nails as well.

Our Gathered From The Garden products can help make your pedicure special. Try our Peppermint Foot Soak, Foot Scrub and Foot Soak. Our Flip Flop Foot Cream is intensive therapy for dry feet. Use this at night and your feet will be ready for summer sandals and flip flops. We also have Pedi Balm, a roll-on, not a liquid so you can pack it in your carry-on!

(These would also make great Teacher Appreciation Gifts or Mother's Day gifts!)

Has spring arrived in your part of the country yet?


 

Wordless Wednesday

The only flowers blooming around here are at our local greenhouse.

It Could Always Be Worse

Last Friday put a leettle crimp in my Marathon training. I was so careful to not run on any icy roads so I wouldn't fall. So what happens? I take a tumble down the garage steps at my daughter's house. I ended up spraining my ankle and my arm. (Yes, there were tears shed from pain and from the realization that I wouldn't be running the Earth Day Half Marathon the next morning.)

But, things could always be worse. We thought at first my arm might be broken. Luckily, after my chiropractor x-rayed it we found out it wasn't. My ankle had just a simple sprain. I heard today that part of the half-marathon course was a very icy downhill. I know of two gals who fell down and got seriously hurt. (hamstring injury and blown-out knee)

So I am recovering and saying prayers of thanksgiving that I wasn't hurt worse. My daughter is my chiropractor. Lucky for me she could get me into her clinic several times over the weekend for ultra-sound and inferential treatment. The swelling has gone down quite a bit and so has the pain. I'm trying hard to be a good patient and follow all of her directions. I'm so hoping she will give the ok for me to run later this week. I am scheduled to get in my last long run this weekend before the marathon in 4 weeks.

I am actually a little embarrassed to even write this post after what happened in Boston. My injuries pale in comparison to those marathon victims and their injuries. You can bet that when I'm running my marathon I'll be running for them!

(Any tips on how to take care of a sprained ankle?)

Wordless Wednesday

Are these guys wondering why they came back so early?

"A Dream So Big"

 

I was given a book called A Dream So Big to read and review. When I opened the package and saw the cover I thought what kind of book is this? Do I really want to read a book about Africa. (not my favorite place--Paris or London yes, Africa, no) So the book sat on an end table for a few weeks forgotten. I finished reading a Jodi Picoult book and looked around for another book to start. I saw this one. What the heck, I thought. I'll give it a try.

The first part of the book gives the background of the author, Steve Peifer and his family. Steve and his wife Nancy lost an infant son shortly after he was born. To escape the pain, the family decides to follow Nancy's dream to be a missionary in Africa.

Once the family gets to Africa and Steve begins to describe the horrific poverty they encounter I could only read the book in segments. It was very hard to read about starving children and the AIDS orphans. Steve tells of his family's trials and tribulations along with their joy. He uses narration and shares emails he had sent to friends back in the states. He paints a picture of incredible frustration with the Kenyan government and incredible resilience in the face of almost insurmountable odds. He also shares how the generosity of many helped him feed thousands of starving school children. (Being a teacher it was really hard to read the descriptions of the schools and classrooms.)

One of the things I found most incredible was that he was able to set up computer-training centers using solar power. At schools in remote places without running water or electricity children were learning how to use technology. Steve felt it was one of the ways the next generation could help lift themselves out of poverty.

I can't imagine the sacrifices that Steve and his family made in moving to Africa and living there. I can't imagine giving someone giving that much of him or herself to help strangers. I am truly moved that someone would! (After the Boston Marathon pain we need to be reminded that goodness is still out there.)

Reading this book makes you want to do your part in helping children in poverty. In the back of the book Steve lists ways that we can help the children of Kenya. Besides buying the book you can go to this website which provides instructions on financial support for Steve's school feeding program and the computer centers. You can also read his blog posts there.

If you are looking for a book for your next book club I would highly recommend this one!