I know what you are thinking, why are you doing something you really, really, really hate.  The short and simple reason is because it’s easy.  By easy, I mean that I can do it anywhere at anytime.

I’m going to run a 5k without wanting to stab myself in the face.  Well, I’ll run a 5k, I can’t make promises about not wanting to kill myself while doing it.  I have this deep running hatred of, well, running.

Maybe I’m not doing it right?  I get bored,  about 1.5-2 miles in I just want to stop and walk.  Not because I’m tired but because I’m BORED of running.   I’m tired of the pace or just the repetitive motion, I don’t know.   I never get into it.  I’ve tried keeping track of the number of songs I’ve listened to, I’ve run without my ipod to listen to my surroundings and I’ve even tried daydreaming (which c’mon I’m a professional at, this should pass the time nicely).  I still haven’t found the thing that makes running not so bad.  Not to mention I could use new shoes because my current ones make my arches hurt.

The days that I can’t get to taekwondo or I need to Do Something, I put on my jogging shoes.  I need to find some way to trick myself into making the time pass quicker.  I won’t ever be a marathon runner.  8 miles sounds about as fun as walking on nails.  13 miles? Yeah you might want to keep sharp objects away from me.  We won’t even talk about 26 miles.

By the end of the year I promise to complete a 5k.  I’ve already mapped out a 3.8 mile run around my neighborhood.  Oh boy, wish me luck.

Any suggestions on music I should have on my ipod? Advice on how not to want to do myself bodily harm?

I think Lisa and I are going to do the 5k for the Almost Home Animal Rescue League.  More information about the Rescue Run.  It seems pretty informal which I like.  I’m all about informal. I’m totally going to use this opportunity to ask you to donate too. 
xoxo

Green leaf lettuce

For dinner last night we had an awesome salad with Boca Chick’n and fries.  I’m even excited for lunch because of all the fruit I have.

Go ahead, make jokes…you know you’re getting old when you are excited about fruit and vegetables.  Speaking of getting old…

I had a wonderful birthday that actually started on June 10 and led right up to the actual day.

Fondue with friends at the Melting Pot (hilarious times!), Chillin with Lisa, making a cake, birthday wine glass,  BBQ , shopping, Sex in the City 2 (which I pretty much hated), lunch at Slows, sushi, cupcakes and Chuck cooked me dinner.

I think 28 is going to be an awesome year!

He called me as soon as he got home to tell me that our fruits and veggies had arrived.  Even I was overwhelmed with all the produce when I saw it.

2 heads green leaf lettuce
bunch of carrots
2 pears
2 peaches
canteloupe (freakin’ delicious!)
2 cucumbers
3 green peppers
cherry tomatoes
strawberries

This is the bitty box too.  Last night we got into the canteloupe, cucumbers and green peppers.  They were delicious.  I made Boca Chick’n patty sandwhiches on whole wheat buns with tater tots and cucumbers and green peppers.  I was stuffed!

The whole experience was easy and truly painless.  I’m ecstatic to have fresh stuff around the house!

This past week I bought some cucumbers and a green pepper.  I cut them up and ate them for an after work snack.  I had forgotten how good fresh veggies taste.  When my good friend Jenni told me about Door to Door Organics, based in Livonia, I was eager to check it out.

Door to Door Organics delivers organic and locally grown fruits and/or veggies to your door.  Yes! To your front door once a week.  My first thought was, “this is going to be expensive” but really it’s not more than buying them at a store.  For the Bitty fruits and veggies box it’s only $23.  It’s really flexible, I am getting deliveries every other week and if I’m going on vacation or need to skip a week it’s totally possible.   It’s also commitment free so you won’t be locked into a contract.

Fruits & veggies locally grown and delivered to my door?  Yes! Please!

I’m really excited about this.  I get to eat healthy and I don’t have to pick up my own produce.   I’ll keep you posted on how the delivery goes next Wednesday.

*Note: I was not asked to write about this company in any way, I just think it’s an awesome service.

In Drew’s email he elaborates about the mission and goals for this band,

The band’s mission is to enhance knowledge about the disease, bring hope through rhythm for women undergoing treatment, and raise awareness & money for the fight against women’s reproductive cancers.

One of the ways they will be doing this is through their six-song EP with styles that range from indie to folk-rock. The music and lyrics are original, written by members of the band who collaborated primarily through video conferencing. If you listen closely to the lyrics, you will hear a fresh and sympathetic approach to issues women with cancer and their families face. The CD is slated for release on September 8th to coincide with Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. Both the physical and digital EP include an informational booklet about gynecologic cancers entitled, “What Every Woman Should Know.” Net proceeds from the sale of the CD will be donated to the N.E.D. Cancer Foundation in association with the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) to educate the public about gynecologic cancers and support promising research.

Also worth noting – N.E.D.’s drummer, Dr. Nimesh Nagarsheth, will be releasing a book, Music and Cancer: A Prescription for Healing, in mid-September, 2009. The book opens with a moving foreword by Fran Drescher, President and Visionary of the Cancer Schmancer Movement.

We all know someone that has been affected by cancer. I think this is a new innovative way to gain support for the cause and raise money.

Other places you can find N.E.D

N.E.D. on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NED/42697252281
The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF): www.TheGCF.org
Women’s Cancer Network (WCN): www.wcn.org
GCF’s National Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign: www.cervicalcancercampaign.org
The Inaugural GCAM Half Marathon: www.gcfrace.com

“If I have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all”

So instead of a blog post of me complaining, I’m asking for your help.

Every year for the past 8, I’ve participated in the Detroit Zoo Kidney walk to help raise awareness and money for the National Kidney Foundation.  For the first couple years it was to honor my mom, Candy, who was on dialysis for 5  years prior to a kidney transplant.  For the past 6 years it is in memory of her.

I also walk for one of my closest friends who is only 26 and is also affected with kidney disease.  It’s unthinkable that someone so young has to worry about something like this.

• Chronic kidney disease is a public health problem affecting 26 million Americans
• Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure and family history
• One in nine American adults have kidney disease and most don’t know it
• 92,000 people are waiting for organ transplants
• 17 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant

More information on kidney disease is available on the National Kidney Foundation website.

Any amount you can afford to donate helps.  View my personal page.

Gemini: Relieve Stress and Tension

Geminis love to gather data. While you feel drawn to this type of mental stimulation, you can also suffer from information overload, resulting in undue stress on your nervous system. This stress often manifests in muscular tension — notably in your shoulders. It’s especially important for Geminis to tune out every now and then. Take periodic vacations from your cell phone, computer, and television, and schedule a little quiet time each day where you can tune out the world and tune into yourself.

Yes I said enemas.  So obviously that is a NO for me.  Not even going to attempt that.  Also, 21 days is a long time.

I forgot about it for a week or so (I told you, short attention span) and then came across an article on AOL about detox diets.  I found a 7 day detox diet that includes actual food.  I immediately thought, “hmm, I could probably do that.”

I’m not really in it to lose weight (which will probably be gained back) but it seems healthy to cleanse your body once in awhile.

So to detox or not, that is the question of the day.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Advice?