Let's Try This Again

I am afraid to put this in writing because I don’t want to jynx myself and end up with a new injury in yet another region of my gimpy left leg.  Last night, I sat on the computer surfing the web for a marathon close to home. I was hoping to run Carlsbad but it is already sold out.


Then I noticed the LA Marathon and thought that could be fun. The course runs from Dodger Stadium through Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. Courses that run through neighborhoods are my favorite. I love LA. When else can you see that much of LA without traffic?  I attempted to register and saw the cost, $145.00. That does not include taxes or the processing fee. When did races get so expensive? It isn’t Boston! I thought about it for a moment or two and then Ang quickly said “hell no” which was the ultimate deal breaker.

On to the next option, Surf City Marathon, Huntington Beach in February. Hmm.

The Pros:

• Only a 2 hour drive from home
• Less traffic getting there
• Less expensive registration fee
• Better reviews
• Ocean views
• They have pacers (LA does not)
• Super cute surfboard finisher’s medal

The Cons:

• The course has 2 portions that are out and back (not my favorite).
• There are 16,000 ½ marathoners and only 2,000 marathoners (this means bombardment halfway through).

Well 7 pros and 2 cons.  Ding ding ding!  We have a winner!  I signed up impulsively and booked a hotel room at the Hilton.  I probably considered it for a whole 2 ½ seconds before I clicked ‘Register’.  Can you tell I am anxious to run a marathon?  Well, I am.  After this annoying leg issue forcing me to skip Malibu, I need something new to look forward to.  I’ve felt pretty great for a few weeks now. Maybe I am rushing into this, but marathons these days sell out… and they sell out fast!

So that’s that. Surf City 2011 here I come, 2.6.2011.  Even the date contains 262 – it must be a sign! :)  Chicago is still on my radar for 2011 as well.

Has anyone else run this race? If so, let me know what you thought!

Anyone looking to escape the cold in February? 
Come RUN Surf City with me!

Run Therapy

I ran three times last week.  After not running at all it feels like a gift from my allowing body.  On Sunday I attempted a 4th run but it just wasn't happening.  I made it out to the beach with my shoes laced up, ready to go.  The weather was finally behaving.  I took a few strides and couldn't follow through.  Mentally, I wasn't able.  Unfortunately our minds and bodies are both required for such an act. 


It has been an emotional roller coaster of a weekend. 


My dad is not well.  He just underwent some serious surgery and there is more to come.  We haven't spoken for years; that is until Friday.  After a near death experience I have my Dad again.  It is bizarre how it all works out.  I almost lost him, now I have him.  


It is moments like this that it is hard to live over 2,000 miles from home.  My best friend is delivering her baby tomorrow and I can't visit her in the hospital.  My sister had her baby shower on Sunday and I wasn't there to smile and laugh with her.  My younger sister just won 1st place in a cheerleading competition and I couldn't hug her.   Both my sisters are pregnant and I don't get to rub their bellies and eat chinese take-out with them like I did during their last pregnancies.  My nieces are growing exponentially each month and becoming real people while Aunt Kate misses it all.  My dad is sick and I wish I could have seen him as he came out of surgery.  


I never regret moving away from home.  It was vital to my overall happiness and life experience.  I would never be content if I stayed put.


Tonight, I decided to try that run again.  I went back to the beach, by myself this time.  I put on some melancholy music and started to run.  Am I the only one that listens to sad music or watches sad movies when I'm already extremely sad?  Please tell me I am not alone.  Anyway, I played my sad music and ran.  Effortlessly.  I felt like I was flying above my body.  I honestly could not feel my legs.  It was as though someone wound me up like one of those plastic toys and let me go.  It took zero mental effort, my legs moved themselves.  

The sun was setting over the ocean and I was able to bask in those beautiful moments.  People were taking pictures and couples cradled each other as it dipped below the horizon.  It was magical.  Watching and feeling the sun disappear over the deep, wide ocean filled my heart back up again.  Something as simple as that can be incredibly moving. 


I continued on my way for an hour and a half.  I felt like I could run a marathon.  At times I wondered "whose body is this?"  Pain-free and effortless, couldn't be mine.  But it was.


I don't always like to talk about the things that weigh heavy on my mind.  Sometimes, running is my silent way of getting it out.  It can serve as a therapy session.  Each stride is a word from my lips.  With every footfall I feel lighter.  At some point I feel ready to fill myself with warmth and joy, in the place that was occupied with sadness.  Sometimes, for me,  running is the only way to do this.  


I am so grateful for my body and my ability to run.  I feel incredibly lucky to have something in my life that brings me so much peace of mind.  I know I am not alone in this.


Happy Running, Everyone. 

Cold-Fighting Soup and Cat Scratch Fever

Well, hello there!  Welcome to Meatless Monday.  


It feels like Chicago here in San Diego.  Maybe more like Seattle.  We've had some light rain, gray skies and chilly temps for several days.  I use this weather as an excuse to bury myself into my books and spend time at home.  It's especially nice for anyone nursing an injury.  I don't feel quite as bad that I can't train.  {Side note, I ran 80 minutes pain-free on Sunday! WAHOO!}  Along with the change in seasons often comes the common cold.


I found this on Etsy the other day... it would definitely come in handy back in Chicago but now that I am in San Diego I think I'll pass on the hand-knit beard.  

I have been sniffling and sneezing lately so I thought I would try a recipe that will kick these sniffles in the a**.   I went nowhere else but to Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's Garlic & Greens Soup.  I have mentioned her before when speaking of her Food for Thought podcast.  If you still haven't listened, why not!?  In all seriousness I think she is amazing.  


So is this soup.  The phyto-nutrients are a gift to the body.  


The best thing about it is that it only requires a handful of ingredients and you can use whatever greens you prefer.   We used kale and bok choy.  You can use mustard greens, collard greens, beet greens, whatever you desire.

Garlic and Greens Soup from Colleen Patrick-Goudreau on Vimeo.

Colleen tells you how in less than 10 minutes! 

It has been our Sunday ritual to prepare a huge pot of soup, chock full of veggies.  We get too busy during the week to cook up fresh vegetables each night so we turn to the ready-made soup.  It has worked out beautifully for us.  We have done the same with tofu and vegetable dishes.   I highly recommend Sunday night cooking to prepare for the week.  I was a skeptic, but just like the Monkees say, "now I'm a believer."  (oh god, did I really just quote the Monkees??)


Maybe this soup will cure these painful cuts on my hand.   Poor Frida was spooked the other day and when I picked her up she ravaged my hand. 

 Sweet Frida- Prior to the attack. 

Just a few of the deep scratches.  There was blood. 

Did I mention blood makes me weak in the knees?

Drama Queen?  Okay, maybe.

Wide Open Spaces

Thanks to everyone for your supportive and encouraging words about giving up my race. I am in awe of how wonderful my readers are. In the grand scheme of things a marathon is really nothing at all, but you all understand what it meant to me.  My running people get it. Thank you ALL. :)


Now that I have taken running out of the equation I have no schedule whatsoever.  All of the time I filled with running has become vacant space and I have to decide in which way to fill it.  Luckily, I don't have a TV so it won't be clogged with reality shows (although sometimes that sounds quite nice.)

With this newfound time I was able to drop into a yoga class I have never taken.  It was a last minute decision but there was still one small spot left upon my arrival.  As I rolled out my mat I looked to my right and it was none other than my favorite teacher, Zoe.  She was a student today.  We exchanged hellos and a smile.  I felt a bit nervous having her next to me but it only took a moment to realize she was too enveloped in her own practice to notice my own.

I don’t usually take Hatha classes and I mistakenly assumed Hatha meant slow and easy. Within 20 minutes of this level II class I had sweat dripping between my boobs.  Mind you, this was not a heated class.  The instructor was amazing, providing verbal cues I could easily visualize. She gave a short yoga philosophy lesson at the start and spoke about studentship.  She taught without music which I hadn’t noticed until class ended.  I was engaged and my body was working hard to maintain unfamiliar poses.

At the start of class we were to set an intention and keep someone or something in mind.  As I flashed through the people in my life I realized everyone is doing well.  This made me smile. I shifted my focus then to the animals.  The billions of animals out there that will never be named, loved or given a chance in this world.  I dedicated my practice to them.

When everyone in class sets an intention and practices with that in mind, I swear you can feel the energy in the room.  We treat each posture a bit differently and are less conservative with our movements.  It’s a beautiful thing.  Seeing Zoe next to me as my classmate, practicing quietly and intently rather than instructing was humbling. We held each other’s ankles in support of a challenging one legged pose.  We pressed one another’s shoulders down as we twisted our low backs. She was practicing with some intention unknown to me, but equally as powerful as my own.

Kathryn Budig - beautiful.

i don't look like this when i practice, but this

is how i feel.  free.

This class was transformative. I often say this about yoga and I mean it every time. This particular practice reinforced a few principles I feel are important.  One of these is that we are all teachers and students simultaneously, here to serve one another. Learning from one another while offering up our own experience and understanding.  I often think of myself as just a student in this life but we all have something to give.  Awesome, right?


I realized that when we let go of something it often opens up space for something new; whether that be a lesson, an experience or even a new person. This is why letting go is so difficult in the moment but all right in the end.  Saying good-bye to one thing makes room for something beautiful to enter and enrich our lives.  Maybe that something is actually nothing, like rest and relaxation.  Either way, loss often leads to gain.

Have you ever let go of something to later realize you gained something even better in the end?

Compassion Bash with Dr. Neal Barnard

Happy Meatless Monday!

The Compassion Bash, AKA a  V-E-G-A-N  Party!!! 

When you read those words, what comes to mind?  A bunch of hippies eating hummus and veggie burgers, wearing faux leather moccasins and “Save the Whales” t-shirts while listening to The String Cheese Incident or the late Bob Dylan?  I didn't know what to expect from something called the Compassion Bash but that illustration wasn't far off.  Except, the music wasn’t quite that good.  Who knew a band could play songs by Ke$ha and Katy Perry live, with real instruments?  That's what you get when you hire a cover band.  Either way it was fun to drink free beer, listen to the thought provoking Neal Barnard and dance to catchy pop tunes with fellow veg heads.  And better yet, all for a good cause, the Animal Protection and Rescue League.

I was on the edge of my seat eating hummus and other vegan viddles waiting for Dr. Neal Barnard to say a few words. You may have seen him on Oprah, Extra, Ellen, Dr. Drew or maybe you have read one of his bazillion published articles.  But on Saturday night he was right here in San Diego speaking to moi (and 75 other people, but whatever).  Neal Barnard, MD has written something like 10 books on preventing and reversing disease with a vegan diet.  He writes mostly about cancer and reversing Diabetes.  Dr. Barnard has been the principal investigator on several clinical trials with some amazing findings on nutrition and health and is the founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).

His talk was riveting as he explained his own experiences performing autopsies and feeling hardened arteries built up with plaque.  Plaque from a high-fat, cholesterol laden diet that led these individuals to the autopsy lab.  He shared stories about his own mother reversing high cholesterol without drugs, patients with ED suddenly being able to have an erection after switching to a plant based diet and many others reversing Diabetes through a vegan diet rather than the typical diet recommended by the ADA.

Here are a few points I couldn't get out of my head:

• Today’s children will have a shorter life span than their parents if they continue on the typical American diet.  (I've heard it before but it shocks me still.)
• At this rate, 1 out of 2 boys will develop some type of cancer in their life and 1 out of 3 girls. These are our kids we are talking about!
• Even while our government is struggling to find ways to cover the costs of diabetes drugs and supplies--which typically cost between $3,000 and $5,000 for just one person with diabetes each year--it also pays out massive subsidies to the sugar industry. Junk food is made more affordable, and diabetes risk skyrockets.
• Even as we seek to cover the cost of cholesterol-lowering drugs--one Lipitor pill costs about $5--our government also subsidies the production of high-cholesterol meat and cheese products.
• Government contracts ensure that school lunches are loaded with high-fat fare. More than 80 percent of schools serve too much high-fat food to comply with the federal government's own nutrition guidelines.  (GRR!)
• On an encouraging note:  Many of us know it takes 3 weeks to develop a new habit. Giving up meat and dairy for plant based foods may seem hard, but after 3 weeks it will be habitual. It certainly doesn’t hurt to TRY. :)

I also want to add that the PCRM has a 21-day Vegan Kick-Start program.  When you sign up you receive free recipes, meal plans, restaurant guides and even an iPhone app!  Check out the video (with Neal Barnard, MD himself).  :)

Letting Go...

It's time to pack it up in a little box, put a stamp on it and send it to never-never land.  The Malibu Marathon, that is.


My race is not going to happen.  I have to let go-- and with certainty this time.  I tried to stay optimistic, I really did.  I rested, stretched, iced, foam rolled, strengthened, lengthened, drank magic potion and did a healing dance but the leg is not any better.  My limp is gone so that's the upside.  I can do my sexy strut again.  


Even though I have my strut back I am sad to kiss running and my first marathon good-bye... for now.  I will miss it like crazy. 


When I'm stressed I'll instinctively reach for my Brooks and realize I should probably reach for a book instead.  On the weekends I'll feel the urge to hit the trails with Angela and have to settle with yoga.  When I feel deserving of that second tofutti-cutie I'll have to find self-control...  Who am I kidding?  I will still eat an extra tofutti-cutie.

Yes, there are plenty of other activities I can do besides running.  I am aware.  I have been hanging out with the elliptical a lot lately and let me tell you she is kind of dull.  I'm over her and her stationary ways.  I can't swim worth a darn and the spin bike is my last resort.  Bleh.  That's how I feel about it.


All is well, though.  I will go to Physical Therapy like a good girl and do everything I need to do.  I won't dwell on the fact that I am losing all these fantastic fitness gains.  I can always start again.


I know life is more than just running.  I also know life goes on.  So here I am... living life without running.  I don't want my blog to turn into "Sulk with Kate" so expect the same posts (minus everything about running).  Don't leave me now, peeps!  Physical therapy will be super exciting, I promise!  :)  I will blog about yoga and all the wonderful books I am reading as well as my culinary adventures in Kate's Kitchen.  Stay tuned! 

Off the subject:  I looked at some of the search words that brought people to my blog.  I found this one and am baffled as to how it brought them HERE.  

Largest Pee Chug

Huh!? I guess I should be more baffled as to why someone is interest in chugging urine.

Are Health Bloggers Putting Women at Risk?

Who has read the Marie Claire article about healthy living bloggers?  Titled, "The Hunger Diaries: How Health Writers Can Be Putting You At Risk", it sounds quite scary.  Marie Claire took a look at six bloggers, which have been named the “big six” by their fans, and found that they are more disordered in their eating and exercising habits than they are healthy. The article suggests that these food-obsessed, exercise-addicted women are sending unhealthy messages to their readers though they claim to be healthy-living bloggers.

The article gives several examples of alarming posts and what appears to be disordered eating. Destroying food such as brownies and cookies so they are no longer appetizing, showing regret over eating too much, posting photos of every morsel of food all exemplify obsession, according to this article. These women also post their “hurculeic” workouts which are believed to be extreme by many (i.e. running 22 miles and ending a post with “I’m starving!”). I think we can all relate to that one.


Of course after reading this article I had to visit each of these 6 blogs to see what all the fuss is about.  I expected to see rail thin women and photos of lettuce and carrots on a plate.  Funny thing, they all appeared harmless and true to their healthy blogging credo. They reminded me a lot of our blogs, actually.  They don’t have Masters Degrees or PhDs in exercise science or nutrition and neither do most of us, but we write about our experiences. I don’t claim to be an expert and neither do any of these women. Granted, we sometimes offer up advice (and you all know I push my vegan agenda) but we are just bloggers. Readers need to use their best judgment with anything they find on the web. 

The blogs appear "pro-healthy eating” but the compulsiveness and lack of self-care they exhibit are worrying.

The only part of this whole healthy blogging community I find troubling is the constant posting of food photos. For a foodie blog I suppose it makes sense. For a healthy living blog I find it unnecessary. This is the part of the article I agreed with:

Then there's the effect on readers. "The sheer number of food images and intense exercise descriptions can be particularly triggering to eating-disorder-prone followers," says Dr. Robyn Silverman, a developmental psychologist in Mount Freedom, New Jersey, whose book, Good Girls Don't Get Fat (published in October), addresses influences on female body image.

As someone that has been food and calorie obsessed in the past, these blogs remind me of my old self. Documenting every thing I ate and then talking incessantly about it. In fact, it was all I talked about. I had a problem. As a woman I worry about other women and hope that isn’t the case for them. On the other hand, we are the owners of our blogs. If we feel like posting pictures of our food, we shall post pictures of our food.  I hope if there is an issue it is confronted.

If women are reading these blogs and going to extremes it is because of larger societal pressures and personal issues, in my opinion. There are messages and images, outside of the blogosphere, that I feel we should be more concerned about. I understand these blogs are reaching thousands of women each month but from what I have seen there is much worse to be seen in magazines and on television. These women all appear to be healthy. While eating disorders can’t be seen in a picture or even through a blog, I find images on TV to be more alarming than any photos that appear on these blogs.

These women are blogging about their lives, their health, their woes and their accomplishments. I say BRAVO to them for sharing and receiving hundreds of thousands of hits a month. They have been well received until now, getting sponsored by huge corporations and even receiving book deals. One of these women is also the creator of Project Beautiful, which encourages women to write positive affirmations on post-its leaving them for other women to find. 

It may seem nice that Marie Claire was concerned enough to write this piece but then you take a look at the Marie Claire publication itself and quickly see pages of unrealistic crap.  And seriously, "The Hunger Diaries"?  What kind of title is that?  These women are not starving.  As long as bloggers aren’t claiming to be experts and aren't giving unsound advice I say, leave them alone. Blog ‘til the cows come home.

How do you feel about this article?  
 
Do you think healthy living bloggers are often exercise and diet obsessed?

Dear Nancy Pelosi -

As I mentioned before it is officially Veg Week here in San Diego.  I had intended to hear Dr.Michael Greger's lecture this past Saturday but I was too busy getting engaged.  :)  Instead I will be listening to Neal Barnard, MD (the founder and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) speak at the Compassion Bash in Balboa Park next Saturday.  I will blog more about him next week!


I am thrilled at the work The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is doing to turn around the National School Lunch Program.     This is where you come in! 


There is something called The Child Nutrition Act (HR 5504).  This important legislation will introduce plant-based foods to schools, increase the availability and affordability of these foods, and provide incentives for schools to provide daily plant-based options. The Act will also remove restrictions on providing nondairy milk alternatives with school lunches, improving the nutrition of millions children who currently lose out on vital nutrients because they are lactose intolerant, have allergies, or choose not to drink milk for other reasons.

Herein lies the issue.   The House version of the new Child Nutrition Act may be rejected for a much weaker, stripped-down Senate version.  Congress is on the verge of voting on the House version of the bill.   Sounds terrible, right?  I agree.  A major issue with this entire Act is the $$$.  The plan is to take money out of our foodstamp program to pay for these changes.  This is why I get a headache when I start talking politics.   Our country is facing serious financial hardship, duh, what else is new?  Our nation's children are also becoming increasingly obese and facing Type II Diabetes like never before.  


If you would like the House version passed let key leaders know.  We are running out of time, but it's not too late! 


Click here for a pre-written message that takes 1 minute to send.  All you have to do is fill in your info and click SEND, bam, your voice shall be heard.  Or, feel free to write your own.  


Happy Meatless Monday, Everyone!

Happy World Vegetarian Day!

Happy World Veg Day, Everyone!

I am extremely excited for this upcoming week! It is officially Veg Week in San Diego.  That means I will have a lot to blog about.  There will be a variety of M.D.s speaking about the health benefits of a vegan diet, cooking demonstrations, a movie showing, an ice-cream social, a bake sale and live music.  I feel like it's my birthday!  :)

See what is happening in your community today & this entire month and get involved.  Pledge to go Veg for a day, a week or even the entire month and you can anywhere from $250- $1,000! How is that for incentive. 


If you haven't already, check out the Go Veg With Kate tab for some great resources.  

A few things to keep in mind as you consider making a PLEDGE TO GO VEG --

VEGETARIAN DIETS:

• Reduce the risk of major killers such as heart disease, stroke and cancer while cutting exposure to foodborne pathogens
• Provide a viable answer to feeding the world’s hungry through more efficient use of grains and other crops
• Save animals from suffering in factory-farm conditions and from the pain and terror of slaughter
• Conserve vital but limited freshwater, fertile topsoil and other precious resources
• Preserve irreplaceable ecosystems such as rainforests and other wildlife habitats
• Decrease greenhouse gases that are accelerating global
  warming
• Mitigate the ever-expanding environmental pollution of
  animal agriculture

Beautiful cows at Farm Sanctuary.  

Don't you want to hug them & kiss them?