Sunny Saturday

There is a patio in my future. I don't know where or if I will be eating or drinking, but I will be sitting outside enjoying the unstoppably beautiful weather at some point today.

This morning I did my run to the farmers market. I was encroaching on being late because I watched too much of the news (good/bad habit of mine) so I debated driving. But then I took a deep drag off the crisp end of summer air and trying jogging down the street. I made 2 miles in 16 minutes, not bad. I didn't really feel like I was running that fast, but apparently I was.

I met up with Lori and her mom and we grabbed the produce for the week - brussel sprouts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, squash (for Lori), honey crisp apples, french beans, and at least two other things I am forgetting. I noted to Lori and Barb on our way to their hotel that the FM basket has gotten heavier as I have gotten healthier. That works out well as it's always up to me to carry it after it hits 10 pounds. Today was pretty close to a record, it easily weighed 20+ pounds, I had to put my hip into it.

Back here at the apartment I did some body weight work on my arms and legs and tons of abs. I have taken to putting the "Abs Diet" book next me me when I am on the mat to remind me of form on certain moves. It's fun. I hope sooner or later to not need the book.

I worked out to Bon Jovi's "New Jersey" disc. I had forgotten how much it was really just fun, plus a couple of good ballads and a couple of rockers, all-in-all, a pretty good workout disc.

When I am done posting, I am headed to the shower, then onto my day. I don't know what it will hold. I am fully prepared to wing it. This is my second day off and as I ran past my office this morning I felt a little pang of guilt. But not enough to go in this weekend, this sunny set of days is all mine.

Yours in health, Kate

Saturday

I am not very creative with my titles this weekend, am I?

I wanted to post this mega early so I can get to the Downtown Farmers Market. And now I will extol the virtues of Farmers Markets.

These annual events are a great way to get fresh produce and other products every week. Warm weather makes people think healthier thoughts, so this partners well with growing season. Plus, if you buy at a farmers market, you are quite likely buying local. That way you support the local economy, decrease the carbon foot print of your food (not as much gas or pesticides used) and can get to know your grower.

I highly encourage a conversation with every vendor who is not busy so that you know their growing schedule. Find out if they are organic, do they have a shop to visit off season, are they an Aries, whatever - it's a great way to meet people and find amazing food.

By the way, even if you aren't in the Des Moines metro, I guarantee their is a farmers market in your backyard, just look around.

Enjoy your day!

Yours in health, Kate

Weekend Wrap-up

I had a very busy weekend.

Friday night I went out to celebrate Halloween for work. I dressed in a costume I created, as autumn. I took a nice brown party dress and put silk fall colored leaves on it and then had a crown of berries and fall foliage woven into my hair. People actually 'got it'. I took a couple of pictures, I will add them as soon as I upload them.

I had to go out for work to search for cavemen to give away tickets to the one-man show, "Defending the Caveman" coming to the Temple for Performing Arts. I found a couple, they were surprised to just randomly win tickets, so that was fun.

I came away with a couple of observations after our outing though. 1. All of those costumes that I thought, "That is so cute, but my body is not ready yet; maybe next year..." LOL. Uh, no. I saw women running around in them and frankly, some of them would have been wearing more if they are just gone out in panties and a bra. I may someday be that comfortable with my body, but I will never be that shameless. By the way, a note to those ladies - if you are dressed as a naughty nurse with your frilly panties sticking out of the back of your dress - do NOT be shocked when men fain illness and beg for your care mercilessly.

Saturday - I started my day at the Farmer's Market. It was very chilly, but then, the last one of the year always is. I did end up with a pastry, but I only ate half of it. I realized all of that sugar and fat just isn't what I need to put in my body. I prefer to 'spend' 300 calories on something else. But the half I had was very yummy. It was a vanilla/almond pastry from Strudel Haus. I highly recommend it as a splurge for you next summer.

I went to the gym after the appearance. I missed out on pilates, so I ran and did some weights instead. Then I went to lunch with my family. I introduced them to Wok in Motion at West Glen Town Center. They got a first hand lesson in healthier food choices when eating out. They even tried one of my favorites, steamed edamame straight from the pods. Protein, fiber, potassium and more, all in little pods.

Sunday - I tried a new class at Fitness World West. It is a core ball workout. You do almost your entire workout with the ball. From abs to hamstring to balance, you include the ball. It was very interesting. It is not, realistically for beginners. But if you have been working out for a while and have trained your abs over the past couple of months, this would be an interesting step up.

After the workout I went to my mom's for Sunday dinner. She made a Cooking Light version of paella. She even hunted down vegan chorizo to cut fat and calories. It was really good, she did a great job.

Well, I am going to go eat dinner now - talapia, broccoli, corn and other veggies.

Yours in fitness, Kate