Wandering around the Xpedx paper warehouse is fun. I geek out on sending snail mail, so naturally this is a place I like to visit. Xpedx supplies print shops and stationary companies with papers all colors of the rainbow, envelopes in every size, brand, and more.
I took a stroll in today as I do a couple times a year wondering if anyone actually likes those gold-embossed Hallmark cards with bad poetry that cost 4 bucks each. Why not go to a supply store and make something personal instead? Fun + uber cheap + get crafty. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.
I like to peruse the clearance wall of overflow, wrong orders, and returns. All kinds of goodies:
Last summer I got some fantastic recycled card stock. I picked out the size envelopes I wanted, had the card stock cut down, stamped my BLR on them and voila, my own stationary. Plenty of empty space to write completely personal notes.
Whether it’s 2011 or 2111 one thing is for sure: Emails, texts, Facebook or other, will never compare to a hand written love note, a homemade birthday card, or a surprise letter just to say hi.
If you know me, you know I love to run. Running to me, is one of the best forms of therapy, zoning time and of course that thing which allows me to continually participate in my Oreo and Nutella habit. (By the way did you know that Oreos are vegan? Score! Something else I just thought of for the first time too: Oreo blue is the same shade of blue as Blue Lollipop Road blue. Can we blame the color twin as the reason for my addiction?)
Anyway, back to running:
As you will hear in my below video, I acquired some serious injuries after way over training for a marathon In 2004. 55 miles a week in traditional running shoes will do that to you. I used to run races regularly and I’ve only been able to run 3 miles at a time since then, which for someone like me feels like losing an arm. I love running about as much as I love traveling and chocolate. My horribly painful IT band issues have left what feels like a forever bump on the outside of my right knee. Fittings at various stores, long chat’s with “professionals”, Gait training, stretching practically every way including hanging from a chandelier, yoga, different shoes, new shorter stride, blah, blah, blah, you name it- I have done it and spent on it, I still have major pain and swelling when I wear traditional running shoes. The shoes have been the culprit.
A year and a half ago, I had one of those days and took off running, completely zoned out on the beach. When my brain broke free from my stress zone, it registered that I’d run about 6/7 miles. I stopped dead in my tracks and remember exclaiming “Holy sh*t! I just ran way over 3 miles barefoot and I have no swelling or pain?!” It’s as if a doctor had just told me I’d be able to walk again.
After that beach run, I started running barefoot whenever I could. When I was on rough surface and couldn’t go totally barefoot worrying about foot protection, I wore some ridiculous non-sport fashion-y shoes which were essentially flip flops that tied up. It scared the crap out of me to put on a regular running shoe. I ran like that 6 days a week for about 4 months. Even though I felt healthier and less swollen then I had in years, at some point I started doubting my research. I also think it was hard to permanently break my habit of those traditional shoes. So what did I do? Glutton for punishment, I went out and bought another pair of traditional running shoes. That was a mistake and like all the rest I had bought before, a waste of my money. The Nike Free is what I got. They were Ok, but still made my leg swell. That pair is now retired for zumba class only, never again for a run.
After all these years I have learned my lesson.
The only time I have no pain or swelling when I run, is when I’m barefoot. Makes sense right? Any shoe with cushion, arch, etc. whether it’s an everyday shoe, a heel, sneaker, whatever- throws off the alignment of your spine, forces your foot to do something it doesn’t do naturally. In the end makes you injured. There are many arguments as to whether or not running barefoot or like barefoot will ruin your body. Well, running is always going to wreak havoc on your legs. We all know that. It is what it is. All I know is that less pain while wreaking havoc on my body is better than excruciating pain. Vibrams might not work for everyone, but they sure work for me.
I wore them on a treadmill yesterday. No pain, no swelling. (YIPPEE!) Here are my before and after run videos from this morning. (Excuse the sideways shots and long winded 2nd video. I was very excited, the run was a success, and who needs to edit? These things are a one shot deal.)
Sorry Nike, Adidas, Reebok and other; I’ll reserve you for sports bras and soccer cleats only. Vibrams have given my feet protection from elements while allowing them to strike how nature intended. I have officially ditched your shoes and the pain and suffering that comes with them.
Anyone out there who has heartbreakingly given up a running hobby, career or race- try out some Vibrams. I’ll see you back out on the road!
We are in luck. The Grammy Awards are on tonight at 8pm EST.
I’m all about snuggling up under a blanket on a chilly Sunday night, catching up on emails and writing snail mail while watching these awards shows. One of my favorite ways to prep for a busy week ahead.
They are giving away a case a month. I just entered to win.
You can too. Click here for details. The hitch is, if you win you have to share a few jars with me, deal? (Or you can just come meet me, I will provide the Oreos for dipping and we will just share all around:)
Chocoholic was the fantastically delicious event I was at last night.
From cupcakes, to cookies, to chocolate cocktails and chocolate fountains, (white, milk, dark, champagne, mint, chili, cinnamon flavored and even caramel and peanut butter ones!)- we were one happy crew of indulging friends. Of all the treats, my favorite of the night was the sea salt caramels covered in dark chocolate. Here’s a recipe to make them. The perfection is in the combo of salty and sweet. Mmmm…
Naturally during the course of hundreds of ravenous sugar lovers roaming and noshing, there were bound to be drips and drops flying everywhere. This poor sign didn’t see it coming:
Gee, I wonder why I was wide awake until 2am this morning.
*Getting the car and starting the drive for a very long road trip *Watching (my kids) N and G learn and love the excitement of accomplishing and conquering something new *The sense of peace I find in going for a hike *A quiet house: (Kids asleep)…husband out with his friends, drink in hand, TV/remote to myself 🙂 *That first sip of coffee…Yuuummmmmmmmmmmm
Notice all these things that are awesome readers have shared are free or really cheap? Isn’t that great?
*The warmth of the sun on your skin when you’re cold *Watching a live concert of a band/artist you love *Cookies and cream ice-cream (topped with a lot of chocolate syrup)
From Troy:
*The smell of fresh cut grass. *The giggle or smile of a child/baby. *Chinese take out on the second day…always better.
Thanks guys! Love these. Anyone else want to share?
