Your Cell Phone Doesn't Make You Safe

I have something serious to share today. I've spent more time than usual lately gazing at TV because of being ill. I am back to work/school but have still been laying on the sofa and watching the news because my energy was zip. The good news there is that I get to add some mileage today. Finally.

Living here in Georgia and being the mom of two intelligent, beautiful women sure made me feel the murders of Lauren Burk and Eve Carson deeply. I started to think about them; two women who were excelling in school, working hard, and making a difference in their respective communities. How did they each find themselves victims of murder within a week of one another? I don't know why, but a thought which haunts me is that each probably had a cell phone on their person or in their purse as they were attacked and killed.

Cell phones make women feel safe. They make me feel safe. I think that as long as I have my cell phone, no one can 'get' me. Or my girls. But that isn't true. I know that myself. And so do you. Cell phones are not mace. And they are not pepper spray. Cell phones don't know anything about self defense.

I am in NO WAY suggesting that either Lauren or Eve would still be alive - for all I know they may have had mace or pepper spray with them and known self defense. Sometimes the perpetrator is just that much bigger, stronger, whatever. But as women we need to take care of ourselves all the time. And look out for each other. What are your thoughts? And would you consider carrying a taser?

Sick Bay Report

I'm stealing one of my Uncle Tony's email subject lines for my subject today. My Great-Uncle Tony keeps our extended family together; since 1963 he and my Aunt Polly, who we lost a few years ago, have hosted our annual family reunion on the Fourth of July. Some years there would be over 80 of us, as my Pop was one of Uncle Tony's nine siblings.

I think Uncle Tony is almost 80 now, but he is online and computer savvy. We are scattered from Pennsylvania to California, from Maine to Florida, but he keeps us all updated and sometimes his email subject is Sick Bay Report.

So here is my report - my sneakers are gathering dust! I'm on a second round of a different antibiotic for another ten days, taking more of the narcotic cough medicine, and I feel blech! And yes, blech is the technical term. ; ) The good news is that my chest xray yesterday was clear, so no pneumonia. The bad news - it looks absolutely beautiful outside and I am stuck inside. Blech blech blech! BUT - I'm taking my vitamins, and you should be, too!

Blech! Sad Sneakers

Is there anything sadder than unlaced sneakers sitting unused by the front door? Yes, if those same sad sneaks have medicines for their sick owner! Blech! I'm infected! I have respiratory flu - the cough, the fever, the ache. And the physician's assistant told me this strain killed all the folks in the early 1900's - loverly - not!

No mileage logged this week, and now you know the reason why.


I have a theory on why the bug bit me. Besides the other supplements I shared with you earlier, I take Garden of Life's women's multivitamin, vitamins C & E, and fish oil. Oh, and a baby aspirin. About two weeks ago I ran out of my daily vitamin C supplement. I was busy and kept forgetting to buy it - now I'm sick. Take your vitamins~!

Happy Valentine's Day to Your Heart

Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone! Great walking afternoon in northern Georgia - sunny and a balmy 59! Thought I'd share my beautiful flowers with you all.

On a day when we think of all those near and dear to our heart, I thought I'd share something I found in my January/February 2008 issue of WeightWatchers magazine. In an interview with Noel Nairey Merz, M.D., medical director of the Women's Heart Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Dr. Merz shares this about possible benefits for normal range cholesterol: "If it stays within the normal range for 2 years, you could reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 75 percent."

Wow! I don't know about you, but the thought of that much of a reduction will keep me walking - and watching my food intake choices - with an eye on seeing many more Octobers at the Outer Banks in the coming years with my gal pals.

Here's a heart happy recipe that is super easy to make, and is a great choice for a fast breakfast or an any time snack. If you are a WeightWatcher, it counts as a vegetable, and is two points per muffin. I also know people who love these but don't do WW so they add a frosting. Also yummy, but when I'm feeling decadent I add some fat free Cool Whip. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

1 Spice Cake Mix
1 15 oz. can of pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling, plain old pumpkin)
1 egg
1 cup water

Mix all together. Pour into cupcake tins and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Makes about 15 muffins.

3Day Readiness

Here's how Tink and I normally look when we take our daily walks which were not so daily this past week. With 5pm classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the middle of winter, we are lucky to get 5 walks a week. We are both pretty happy with that right now. This photo is from yesterday - we did 3.6 miles each yesterday and today. Weather perfect for walking - sunny and in the 50's to low 60's.

In 2006 when I did the 3Day I learned something about my left foot 4 weeks before the walk - I have a heel spur! At the time we were doing between 10-15 miles on one weekend day, and 7 miles on the second weekend day. I'd do great on Saturdays, but Sundays I'd be aching on my left foot. I tried a heel guard and was rewarded with a blister the size of Ohio on my heel! So, I headed to a podiatrist to drain my giant blister and he did xrays and surprise - heel spur. I had problems walking the 3Day, visited the fantastic medical tent at our camp and along the way, and I am proud to say I finished thanks to terrific nurses and doctors.

This time I signed up for the six month training schedule which means early April will find my schedule appearing in my email, and my team and I will start walking. I started early because of my heel. What I am doing is using some natural herbs which work well for my pitta dosha. I started before Christmas and so far I've been averaging almost twelve miles per week walking without any pain in that foot. Additionally, I am stretching daily.

I did research on ayurvedic healing on the internet, and talked to my daughter who teaches yoga and lives the ayurvedic lifestyle. One of my meanderings links is to Banyan Botanicals. I was already taking their triphala regularly for my digestion so it was a matter of seeing if Banyan had what I needed.

And they do - I am currently taking two guggulus - yogaraj and kaishore. Both are anti-inflammatories. If you click on the word guggulu above, you will go to the order page; you can click on the two types and read more about them, if you are interested.

Speaking of my meanderings links - my web page for the 3Day is up - very rough but it is there. Take a look, join up, or make a donation!